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FIFTY PRINTED 
No. 



BEST FAMILY 

WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 




THE CREST OF BEEST, IN THE 
NETHERLANDS 

The Crest of the Dutch village of Beest dates back to the Crusades. 
Citizens of the town enlisted under the banner of the German 
Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa. In grateful recognition of this service 
by her citizens, the Emperor and the Patriarchs of Jerusalem joined 
in bestowing upon the town of Beest this Crest. 



THE FAMILY OF BEST 

I n A merica 
Of Holland Descent 



With Copious 

Biographical Notes 

1700-1901 



by 

CHARLES BEST BENSON 

Author of the "Van Deusen Genealogy," " A Lark in Ancient Gardens," etc. 



.1* 



Copyright, 1909, by 
Charles Best Benson 






Tfbe ftnfcberbocRer Qtcee, »ew Sorb 



Go 
M. S. B. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Coat-of-Arms ..... Frontispiece '- 

Original Appointment of Jacob W. Best as 

Lieutenant ....... 41 



Col. Clermont L. Best 

Major C. L. Best, Jr. 

Dr. George E. Benson 

Charles B. Benson 
Chart of the Best Family 



Si 

52" 

132 

136 

i74 



BEST FAMILY 



FOREWORD 

THE early records of the Dutch and Lutheran churches 
in New York State, and especially of the churches 
about the Hudson River, from New York to Albany, were 
translated for the Holland Society of New York City a few 
years ago. These records, now in the Archives of the 
Society, are not available, ordinarily, to non-members. 
For the purpose of solving some of the many difficulties 
which confronted me in compiling the Van Deusen Gene- 
alogy, upon which I was then (1900) engaged, I made, in 
connection therewith, an exhaustive search of the records 
of the following churches, for the furtherance of this com- 
pilation, the Marriage and Baptismal records, and the 
Minutes of the Consistory, from 1683, in each church, 
except as otherwise stated: Albany (Dutch), to 1760; 
Claverack (Dutch), to 1787; Churchtown (Lutheran), 
to 1820; Johnstown (Dutch), to 1780; Kinderhook (Dutch), 
to 1784; Kingston (Dutch), from 1639 to 1801 ; Schenectady 
(Dutch), from 1680 to 1901; Ghent (Dutch and Lutheran), 
from beginning to 1901. In addition to the church records 
hundred of volumes of historical, biographical, and mis- 
cellaneous publications have been minutely examined, 
some of which are very scarce and exceedingly difficult to 
consult, except in a few private libraries, for genealogical 
notes and sketches and information relating to the founders 
of the Best family. It may be needless to say that the 
material has taken years to collect, caused much fatigue 
of travel, and necessitated voluminous correspondence. 
The author of these pages has endeavored to set forth not 
only the essential data of genealogical research but also 
such material as will illuminate the domestic and social 
life of an interesting period. Details, humble in them- 



XIV BEST GENEALOGY 

selves, framed in words and spelling of colonial simplicity, 
have seemed to have a significance which should interest 
not only the descendants, but, in a degree, the student 
of history and genealogy. Other sources of information 
have not been slighted; and the various offices of record, 
miscellaneous documents, bible records, local histories, 
and gravestone inscriptions have been examined, and duly 
credited in all instances. 

The author is especially indebted to Mr. Robert M. 
Terry, of Hudson, N. Y., for the loan of portraits of Colonel 
Clermont L. Best, and Major C. L. Best, Jr.; acknowledg- 
ment is also due to others for portraits reproduced here. 

The Bests were noted for large families, and the children 
were nearly all named after some member of a previous 
generation. The Johns, Jacobs, Peters, and Elizabeths 
were not allowed to pass out of existence. New names 
were rarely given to the children, and very few of them 
remained unmarried. 

The system of numbering adopted is the simplest so far 
devised; and no difficulty, therefrom, will be encountered. 

Three classes of numbers are used, viz. : 

i Consecutive. These figures begin with No. 1, and 
are found in and constitute the left hand column of the 
book. 

ii Family. These are taken from the consecutive 
numbers and placed over the head of the family of the 
person they stand for in the consecutive column. 

in Reference. These are taken also from the con- 
secutive column and placed in parenthesis before certain 
names in order to show relationship and intermarriages. 

C. B. B. 



BEST GENEALOGY 

DR. JOHNSON, in speaking of the writing of Diction- 
aries, which would apply equally as well to Gene- 
alogies, observes of the authors: "whom mankind have 
considered, not as the pupils, but the slaves of science, 
the pioneers of literature, doomed only to remove rubbish 
and clear obstructions from the paths through which 
learning and genius press forward to conquest and glory. 
. . . Every other author may aspire to praise, the lexi- 
cographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even 
this negative recompense has been yet granted to very 
few. " 

So to mark the paths for future researches beyond the 
confines of this country, let us examine for the name, or 
similar name, into the histories and biographies of other 
countries for the impress it has made on the records of early 
days. My object is to interest, not to convince, and to 
clear the boards before entering upon the more serious 
pursuit of the name in the records of our own country. 

In Phillips' Dictionary of Biographical Reference we find 
the following: George Best, English Preacher and Author; 
d. 1609. Jean Best, French Engraver and Printer; b. 
1808. John Best, Bishop of Carlyle, 1561; d. 1570. Wil- 
lem Best, Dutch Jurist and Author; 1683-17 19. William 
Draper Best, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (1824); 
1 767-1845. Dominic de Bast, Dutch Landscape Painter; 
1800. Friederick-Jacob Bast, German Diplomatist and 
Hellenist; 17 7 2-1 81 2. Louis Amedee de Bast, French 
Novelist; b. 1795. Martin- Jean de Bast, Flemish Archaeo- 
logist and Priest; 1753-1825. Peter Bast, Engraver, 1598. 

1 



2 BEST GENEALOGY 

Burke's General Armory (1884) gives the names of 
fifteen Bests and three Bests who had been knighted and 
had coats of arms; many of these possessed crests. For 
example, one will suffice: " De Best, James (London, 
granted 4 July, 161 7 by Camden, Clarenceux, to James 
De Best, of London, a free denizen, son of James De Best, 
of Flanders). Ar. on a fesse az. betw. three dragons' 
heads erased gu. as many fleurs-de-lis or. Crest — On a 
mural coronet or, a fleur-de-lis per pale gold and az. betw. 
two laurel branches vert. " 

In the Dictionary of National Biography we have the 
following, which is quoted somewhat at length: George 
Best (d. 1584?), navigator, accompanied Martin Frobisher 
in the three voyages undertaken (in 1576, 1577, and 1578) 
to discover the Northwest Passage, and published, on the 
return from the third voyage in 1578, "A Trve Discovrse 
of the late voyages of discouerie, for the finding of a passage 
to Cathaya, by the Northweast, vnder the conduct of Martin 
Frobisher, generall; deuided into three Bookes. In the 
first whereof is shewed his first voyage. Wherein also by 
the way is sette out a geographicall description of the 
worlde and what partes thereof haue bin discouered by 
the Nauigations of the Englishmen. Also there are an- 
nexed certayne reasons to proue all partes of the Worlde 
habitable, with a generall Mappe adioyned. In the second 
is set out his second voyage, with the aduentures and 
accidents thereof. In the thirde is declared the strange 
fortunes which hapned in the third, with a seuerall de- 
scription of the Countrey and the people there inhabiting. 
With a particular Card therevnto adioyned of Meta incog- 
nita, so farre forth as the secretes of the voyage may 
permit. At London. Imprinted by Henry Byimyman, 
seruant of the Right Honourable Sir Christopher Hatton, 
Vizchamberlain. Anno Domini 1578." 4to, black letter. 
The book, which is of the highest rarity, is dedicated to 



BEST GENEALOGY 3 

Sir Christopher Hatton. In the third voyage the fleet 
consisted of seventeen ships. Best was captain of the 
Jane Anne. The adventures through which the voyagers 
passed are described graphically and quaintly. At the 
time of its publication the narrative attracted much atten- 
tion. A French translation appeared in the same year, under 
the title of "La Navigation du Cap. Martin Frobisher 
Anglois es regions de west et nordwest en l'ann£e 1577, 
Pour AntoineChuppen." 8vo. In 1580 a Latin translation 
(from the French) of the account of the second voyage was 
published at Norenberg. Two years later an Italian version 
appeared at Naples. A second translation (from the French) 
was issued nearly a century afterwards, in 167 5, at Hamburg. 
Best's narrative was included in the third volume of Hak- 
luyt's "Voyages," 1600, and reprinted in 1867 by the 
Hakluyt Society. A George Best, servant to Sir Chris- 
topher Hatton, was killed in a duel about March, 1583/4, 
by Oliver St. John, afterwards Viscount Grandison. This 
person is doubtless to be identified with the writer of the 
"Trve Discovrse. " Another George Best, Fellow of Jesus 
College, Cambridge, was instituted to the vicarage of All 
Saints, Cambridge, in 1572, and to the rectory of St, 
Dunstan-in-the-East, London, in 1596. He died in Nov., 
1609. (See " Athenae Cantabrigienses," ii., 524. Also " A 
Trve Discovrse of the late Voyages of Discouerie, &c," 
edited by Rear-Admiral Richard Collinson, Hakluyt So- 
ciety's Publications, 1867; Nicolas's "Hatton," 366; 
Herbert's " Ames," 982.) 

Paul Best (i59o?-i657), controversialist, comes of a 
family which had been long of the gentry in the North 
Riding of Yorkshire; but his father, James Best, having 
removed to the East Riding, was resident in the rectory- 
house of Hatton Cranswick, near Driffield, known as the 
burial-place of Alfred, King of Northumbria. Here it is 
believed Paul was born about 1590. In 1598 his father 



4 BEST GENEALOGY 

purchased the manor of Emswell about two miles from 
Driffield, for ^2050. It had been a monastery of St. 
Mary of York, and in possession of Sir Thomas Crompton. 
James Best, as was the wont then with squires, cultivated 
his own land and grew rich. Dying in April, 161 7, he 
left in his will competent portions to his younger children, 
and his manor of Emswell and messuages at Beverly to Paul, 
the eldest son. Paul was at the University of Cambridge 
when the message reached him of his father's death. From 
a manuscript of Rev. Roger Ley, we learn that Paul was 
of Jesus College, Cambridge, having Sir William Boswell, 
afterwards ambassador for England at The Hague, as his 
tutor, and this Roger Ley as his fellow-student and "in- 
timate." In September, 1617, he left Jesus, and became a 
fellow of Catharine Hall. His father, who was most 
probably a puritan, had meant him to be of Emmanuel. 
On 13 February, 1618, he parted with his manor of Ems- 
well to his younger brother Henry for the sum of ^2200, 
which was paid him as an annuity for his life. Of his charac- 
ter while at the university Ley thus writes: "In wit he sur- 
passed the ordinary sort, and had a mighty reach. Yet 
was he more nimble than staid. His quaint and curious 
searches in philosophy above the ordinary strain made me 
and others much admire him. For a serious study he 
excelled in the mathematics, and for a pleasantrie in 
poetry. " Verses by P. B. prefixed to Robert Anten's 
"Vice's Anatomy" (1617) have been assigned to him, but 
this P. B. was of Magdalen College. The only poetry by 
him now traceable is a copy of verses "to Christ." On 
leaving Cambridge he followed uncertain courses. He 
proceeded to the continent, and mingled a good deal with 
educated and " disputative " men of the period. He is 
found in Germany in 1624, and in Poland, and as a soldier 
under Gustavus Adolphus, but Ley, his biographer, does 
not claim for him military renown. "If he had any good 
military parts," he says, "I may say he was able tarn 



BEST GENEALOGY 5 

Marte quam Mercuric Fit to hold discourse with any man 
he was, and an excellent companion." Ley continues: 
"He fell to dispute often where he had opportunity, as in 
the university of Gryphiswald in Pomerania — where 
Priscian was slain. In these northern parts of Germany, 
and also Poland and Transylvania, places not free from 
error, he unhappily disputed with some anti-trinitarians, 
and more adhering to carnal reason than to mysteries of 
faith, he was drawn to the dangerous opinion, the denial 
of our Saviour's divinity." His return was preceded by 
some years of retirement in Germany, chiefly spent in the 
study of unitarian theology. His annuity from the sale 
of Emswell is traced as having been paid 26 May, 1628, 
also in 1632 at Emswell, and again upon August, 1632 and 
1634. The chronology is not exact, but after-allusions 
bring him before us as a sufferer for his opinions. Having 
written out his conclusions on the doctrine of the Trinity, 
he submitted his "loose papers" to the Rev. Roger Ley 
for his judgment. The manuscript was sent privately 
and in confidence. Ley appears to have instantly made 
the "loose papers" public by bringing them under the 
notice of those in authority. Best never changed in this 
allegation. In his last pamphlet, "Mysteries Discovered," 
in a reiterated copy of his "Humble Petition," he expressly 
places it on record that he had been a close prisoner ever 
since the 14 February, 1644/5) "onely for his presumed 
reason or opinion committed to a minister (a supposed 
friend) for his judgment and advice onely. " Be this as 
it may, all we learn is that Roger Ley and other divines 
were assiduous and earnest in their visits and reasonings 
with the prisoner. Roger Ley's manuscript, as well as 
Whitelocke's "Memorial of the English Affairs during the 
Reign of Charles I," enables us to go behind the scenes so 
far. Best is represented as having applied "the most 
profane epithets to the doctrine of the Trinity," calling it 
"a mystery of iniquity, a three-headed monster, a figment, 



6 BEST GENEALOGY 

a tradition of Rome, monstrum biforme and triforme, " 
etc. For this he was committed to the Gatehouse 14 Feb., 
1644/5. After several examinations, on 28 March, 1645/6, 
the house voted that he be hanged for his offence. On 
23 Nov. a provision affirming the lawfulness of capital 
punishment for heresy was carried but it was not till 2 
May, 1648, that the ordinance was actually passed, and 
by that date Best had been released. In 1646 Best drew 
up " A letter of Advice vnto the Ministers at Westminister, 
with severall consideration — The porsibility of a here- 
tick's repentance, so long as he lives, and such as do any 
wayes cause him to dye in heresie, as much as in them 
lyes, do effectually damn him eternally; and consequently, 
that Paul Best (what-ever his errours be at present), as 
well as Paul the Apostle, once a blasphemer, may one day 
become a convert, if he be not untimely st arved to death 
beforehand, 1646" (in MS. marked 28 April). Having 
launched his "Letter of Advice," Best set about the prepara- 
tion of a respectful petition to the House of Commons. 
He appealed to the house to "be pleased to take notice" 
that he had been "eighteen months imprissoned, with 
what impairing of his substance" he forbore stating. 
The petition sought release or a "speedie hearing." This 
was on 13 Aug., 1646. Still his release lingered. He once 
more appealed to the authorities in a treatise entitled 
"Mysteries Discovered, or a Memoriall Picture pointing out 
the Way from Babylon to the Holy City, for the good of all 
such as during that night of general errour and apostacie 
(2 Thess. ii., 3 ; Revel, iii., 10) have been so long misled with 
Rome's hobgoblins. By me, Paul Best, Prisoner in the 
Gatehouse, Westminster, 1647." This is an appeal to jus- 
tice, and a defence against the charges brought against him. 
On the blank spaces of the Bodleian copy is a manuscript 
anti-trinitarian note in Latin, which was supposed by 
Brook Aspland to be in Milton's autograph. It seems 
most probable that Cromwell at last interfered. However 



BEST GENEALOGY 7 

it came about, he was silently released towards the close 
of 1647. He quietly returned to his family seat. His 
brother Henry was then dead, and had been succeeded 
in Emswell by his son, John Best, to whom by some ar- 
rangement Paul (his uncle) surrendered his annuity on 
22 Jan., 1651/2, and with what of his fortune he had left, 
cultivated a farm. He still pursued his old studies, and 
masses of his manuscripts were left behind at his death. 
The parish register of Little Driffield gives the dates of 
birth and burial: "1657, Paul Best, Master of Arts, died 
at Great Driffield 17 Sept. and was buried at Little Drif- 
field 19 Sept. in the churchyard." (Ley's MS., in pos- 
session of H. B. Bright, and latterly of Joseph Hunter, 
from the Chorus Vatum; letters from Rev. Horace Newton, 
Driffield; Wallace's "Anti-Trinitarian Biography," i., 87, 
iii.,161; Whitelocke's " Memorials" ; Neal, iii., 292 ; Best's 
Works.) 

Thomas Best (1570?-! 63 8?), captain of the navy, was 
probably the son of Captain George Best, the companion 
of Frobisher in the Arctic voyages (Hakluyt, iii., 47, 60, 
75, etc.; "Calendar of State Papers, East Indies," 1513- 
1616, see index). He went first to sea about 1583 ("Best to 
Conway, 13 July, 1623), being then presumably about 
thirteen (13) years old; and yet he is referred to as being 
in 1598 a man of substance and repute, well known in 
Ratcliff and Limehouse (Rundall's " Memorials of the Em- 
pire of Japan," — Hakluyt Society, — 29). He was appointed 
30 Dec, 161 1, to command the Red Dragon, a ship of some 
600 tons and 200 men, then fitting for a voyage to the East 
Indies, and accompanied by the Osiander pinnace, he sailed 
from Gravesend on 5 Feb., 1611/12. He arrived at Surat 
in the beginning of September, to the great annoyance of 
the Portuguese, who had previously established them- 
selves in the country. They collected a force of four 
galleons, each as large as the Dragon, and some twenty 



8 BEST GENEALOGY 

small craft, rowboats carrying many men, and on the 29 
Oct. appeared off the mouth of the river, where they hoped 
to surprise the English. Best, in the Dragon, at once 
weighed, stood out to meet them, and passed between two 
of their ships, firing into each. This caused the Portuguese 
to pause. The darkness closed in, and they had to anchor 
for the night. The next morning the slander also came 
out, and when three of the galleons, in trying to avoid the 
Dragon, got on shore, the Osiander, drawing little water, 
" danced the hay about them, and so payed them that they 
durst not show a man on their decks." The fight con- 
tinued till dark of the second day. The third day was 
very similar to the second. Towards evening the Portu- 
guese drew back and attempted to burn the Dragon by 
means of a hastily equipped fireship. This Best succeeded 
in sinking before she got dangerously near, and so the 
fight ended. The loss of the English was returned as 
three killed and one wounded; that of the Portuguese was 
certainly very heavy (Purchas, i., 482). Some few days 
later the Portuguese attempted a further attack, when 
Best, again standing out to sea, engaged them with such 
resolution and skill that after four hours' severe fighting 
they made all sail to get away. The fight was witnessed 
by thousands on the shore. 

The Great Mogul was now quite willing to recognize the 
English as having rights equal to those of the Portuguese. 
The English trade was placed on a permanent footing, and 
The birth of the English power in India may properly be 
dated from this November, 1612, rather than from any of 
the semi-piratical voyages of previous years. In January, 
1612/13, Best in the Dragon, accompained by the Osiander, 
left Surat, and, passing down the coast, crossed over to 
Acheen, where he arrived on 12 April. He described 
(12 July) the king and people as very " griping, base, and 
covetous." All trade was forbidden except at Acheen; but 
by releasing a Portuguese whom he had captured, he sue- 



BEST GENEALOGY V 

ceeded in winning the favor of the king, who gave him 
the title of "Orancaya pute, " which is "white or clear- 
hearted lord. " He also obtained permission to open a trade 
with Siam, and received assurance of good entertainment. 
At Bantam he obtained a grant of land on which to build 
warehouses, and when, having got a full cargo, he sailed 
in November on the return voyage, the Company's affairs 
in the East were far more satisfactorily settled than before. 
The Red Dragon, "richly laden," arrived in the Downs in 
the first week of June, 1614, and Best shortly afterwards 
attended the Council to give a detailed account of his 
proceedings. He was considered to have "deserved 
extraordinarily well," though at the same time some 
dissatisfaction was expressed at "his great private trade" 
(Col. State Papers, East Indies, 22 June, 26 July, 9 and 19 
Aug., 1 6 14). The question was left to the governor, Sir 
Thomas Smythe, who gave as his opinion that no one could 
be a fitter commander than Best, but that for merchandise 
Captain Keeling was far before him, and should be sent 
to Surat (7 Sept.). Best nettled, it would appear, by the re- 
fusal of the Council to give his son an appointment as one of 
their [factors, refused to go at all. As he very shortly 
afterwards (27 Sept.) signified his willingness to go another 
year, it is not improbable that the Council gave way. Re- 
ports to his disadvantage, however, continued to be cir- 
culated, so that Best insisted on an investigation. The 
decision was that the Company was "content to remit all 
that is past and let these things die, which should not have 
been ripped up, had he not called them in question him- 
self" (24 Oct., 16 15). In October, 161 7, the question 
of sending out a chief commander to Bantam came before 
the Council, and after discussing the relative merits of 
Sir Richard Hawkins, Sir Thomas Dale, and others, they 
requested the governor to confer with Best, as the fittest 
of all. Best accepted the appointment, and agreed to sail 
again in the Dragon, but a complaint was presently lodged 



10 BEST GENEALOGY 

against him for having appointed his son as a master's mate. 
On this and other grounds Best declined the command; 
he was summoned before the court, and after some dis- 
cussion and his refusal to sign a bond for ^5000 to perform 
the articles agreed on, he was dismissed the Company's 
service (25 Nov.)- He afterwards (27 Jan., 161 7/ 18) made 
his peace with them, but he does not seem to have again 
accepted any office under the Company. It is probable 
that Best had already served in royal ships, and from this 
time he was actively employed under the crown. In 1623 
he commanded the Garland, and when the fleet sailed for 
Spain to bring back Prince Charles, Best remained as 
senior officer in the Downs. He had previously been 
engaged in the prevention of piracy, or the pursuit of 
pirates (Conway to Commissioners of the Navy, 6 June, 
1623), and he would probably have had more of the same 
duty, had not the insolence of the Dutch, in destroying a 
Dunkirk privateer at Leith and blockading another at 
Aberdeen, rendered it necessary to send a small force to 
the coast of Scotland. It was determined that Best was 
the proper man to command this expedition; but the 
Bonaventure, the only other ship available, was com- 
manded by Sir William St. Leger, who held that, as a 
knight, he could not be under the orders of Best. The 
commissioners of the navy recommended that St. Leger 
should be superseded in the Bonaventure by some captain 
of " meaner quality. " Captain Christian, who had formerly 
commanded the Osiander with Best, was accordingly 
appointed in his place. The Garland and Bonaventure 
sailed from Margate on 30 June, and, having gone to 
Aberdeen, brought the blockaded Dunkirker to the Downs, 
closely attended by two of the Dutch ships, and when, 
on 29 July, the convoy attempted to run off by herself, 
the Dutchmen would have made a prize of her if Best 
had not beaten them off. He vowed vengeance, but the 
Dutch ships outsailed him. On 4 Aug., they had all 



BEST GENEALOGY 11 

anchored in the Downs, the Dutch at some distance, when 
Best slipped alongside of them in the dark, and beat them 
out of the road. The next day the Dutch gathered in 
force, and threatened summary punishment, unless he 
could show the king's commission for what he had done. 
As naval commissions, then, as now, were signed only by 
the admiralty, Best had not the authority the Dutch 
required, and to evade the difficulty he was ordered to bring 
the ships up to Gravesend. Eventually he was super- 
seded, and the Dunkirker was sent home with a safe- 
conduct from the Dutch (Cal. State Papers, Dom., August, 
1623 ; Gardiner's "Hist, of England," v., 81-8). In 1626/7 
Best commanded the Vanguard (19 March, 1626/7) which 
formed part of the fleet assembled at Portsmouth under 
Lord Willoughby (State Papers, Dom., Charles I., xxxii., 
74), and in the disastrous expedition to Rh6 in 1627 (ibid., 
lvi., 88, lxv., 14). In September, 1630, he was member 
of a commission to report on the keeping of the king's 
ships at Chatham and Portsmouth, and in April, 1632, of 
another to consider the manning of ships. In 1633 he 
seems to have been senior warden of the Trinity House, 
and in 1634 to have been master (ibid., cclxxiii., 25, 271); 
in 1637 he appears to have been still master of the Trinity 
House; and in April, 1638, he sat on a commission for in- 
quiring into frauds in the supply of timber. This is the 
last mention of him that can be traced; it seems, therefore, 
probable that he died shortly afterwards (Calendar of 
State Papers, Domestic and East Indies, 161 1-38.) 

William Draper Best, the first Baron of Wynford (1767— 
1845), J U( ige, the third son of Thomas Best, by a daughter 
of Sir William Draper, K. B. (by his first wife), was born at 
Haselbury-Plucknett, Somerset, on 13 Dec, 1767. After 
receiving his education at the grammar school at Crew- 
kerne, he was admitted to Wadham College, Oxford, at the 
age of fifteen, but left the university in his seventeenth 



12 BEST GENEALOGY 

year without taking his degree. He had been intended at 
first for the church, but having come into a considerable 
fortune from a cousin during his residence at Oxford, he 
entered the Middle Temple on 9 Oct., 1784. He was called 
to the bar on 6 Nov., 1789, and joined the home circuit. 
The first case in which he attracted notice was that of 
Shakespear v. Peppin (6 T. R., 741) in June, 1796, when 
Lord Kenyon, C. J., paid many compliments to his talents 
and industry. It is said that the brief in this case fell into 
his hands by the happy accident of the absence of the 
counsel who was engaged in the cause. He soon after- 
wards secured an extensive practice, both on the home 
circuit and at Westminster Hall. Though at Westmin- 
ster he chiefly practised in the common pleas, he was 
engaged in many cases of importance in the king's bench 
and exchequer, and also in some of the principal criminal 
trials of the day. In 1799 he became a serjeant-at-law, 
and in July, 1802, was elected member for Petersfield. He 
was now attached to the whig party, and was one of the 
acting managers on the impeachment of Lord Melville. 
He continued to sit for Petersfield until the dissolution 
of Parliament. In March, 1809, he was elected recorder 
of Guilford in the place of Lord Grantley. In October, 
1 81 2, he was returned as a member for Bridport, and, 
having changed his politics, was appointed, 7 Dec, 18 13, 
solicitor-general to the Prince of Wales. On 14 Feb., 181 6, 
he became the prince's attorney-general, and two years 
afterwards chief justice of Chester. Upon the elevation of 
Abbott to the chief-justiceship, Best succeeded to the 
vacancy in the king's bench on 30 Nov., 181 8, but did not 
receive the honor of knighthood until 3 June, 181 9. After 
sitting as a puisne judge for rather more than five years, 
he was made chief justice of the common pleas on 15 April, 
1824, and admitted to the Privy Council on 25 May in the 
same year. His health throughout his career was a source 
of great suffering, and he was constantly incapacitated 



BEST GENEALOGY 13 

by severe attacks of gout. In June, 1829, he gave up his 
post on the bench, and, a pension having been granted 
to him, was called to the House of Lords by the title of 
Lord Wynford of Wynford Eagle in the county of Dorset, 
on 5 June, 1829. He was appointed one of the deputy 
speakers of the house, where he was a vehement supporter 
of the tory party, and strenuously opposed the Reform 
Bill at every stage. As a lawyer he had no great reputation, 
but as an advocate his qualities were both varied and ex- 
tensive. His style of speaking was forcible and pointed, 
but not always fluent, though his arguments were at all 
times remarkable for their clearness. His quickness and 
unwearying activity made him a most watchful adversary, 
though as a leader he was not always safe. As a parlia- 
mentary speaker he was much less successful than as an 
advocate, and as a judge he was unfortunately far from 
being free from bias of temper, and sometimes even of po- 
litical prejudice. The opinions he was supposed to have 
uttered on the subject of the game laws in Ilott v. Wilkes 
(3 B. & A., 304) called forth a bitter article by Sydney 
Smith in the "Edinburgh Review" (vol. xxxv.), entitled 
"Spring Guns and Man Traps." Best's judgment, how- 
ever, seems to have been grossly misreported in the account 
of the case to which Sydney Smith referred. A number 
of his judgments will be found in vols. ii. to v. of "Bingham's 
Reports." On 11 June, 1834, the degree of D.C.L. was 
conferred upon him by the University of Oxford. When 
attending the House of Lords he used to be carried there 
in an arm-chair in which he was permitted to sit when 
addressing the house. In his later years his increasing 
infirmities compelled him gradually to withdraw from 
public life. He died at his county seat of Leasons in Kent, 
on 3 March, 1845, aged 78. Early in life, on 6 May, 1794, 
he married Mary Anne, second daughter of Jerome Knapp, 
clerk to the Haberdashers' Company, by whom he had 
ten children. The title is now borne by his grandson, 



14 BEST GENEALOGY 

William Draper Mortimer Best, who succeeded his father, 
the second baron, on 28 Feb., 1869. (Foss's "Judges, " 1864, 
ix., 9-12; "Law Magazine, " xxxiii., 308-17; "Law Review," 
ii., 168-75; "Law Times," iv., 447; "Annual Register," 
1845, appendix, p. 255; "Gent. Mag.," 1845, xxiii., N. S., 
431-2; Campbell's "Lord Chancellors," vol. viii., passim; 
Campbell's "Chief Justices," vol. iii., passim; "Edinburgh 
Review," xxxv., 123-34, 410-21.) 

Henry Digby Best, afterwards Beste (1768-183 6), 
miscellaneous author, born in Lincoln 21 Oct., 1768, was 
the son of Henry Best, D.D., prebendary of Lincoln. His 
mother was Magdalen, daughter of Kenelm Digby, of North 
Luffenham, in Rutland. He matriculated at University 
College 17 March, 1785, and soon afterwards was nomi- 
nated a demy to Magdalen. After taking the degrees of 
B.A. and M.A. was appointed to curacy of St. Martin in 
Lincoln. He wrote a number of books, which were highly 
approved by the chief members of Oxford in 1 794. Shortly 
afterwards he changed his name to Beste. He was finally 
converted to Catholicism. He was then considered one of 
the brightest minds in England. In 181 8 he removed his 
family to the south of France, where he published a number 
of works of travel, and personal and literary memorials. 
He died 28 May, 1836, in his 68th year. (Autobiographical 
writings of Henry Digby Beste, reissued with reprint in a 
third edition of his sermon on Priestly Absolution, 1874 
pp. 1-85 and 114-239; Register of the Demies of S. M. 
Magdalen College, Oxford, 1785, iv., 97; "Catholic Maga- 
zine" for 1838, p. 480; "Notes and Queries," 1st Series, xii., 
227, 314, 3rd Series, xi., 57, note.) 

Charles Best (fl. 1602), poet, was a contributor to Francis 
Davison's "Poetical Rapsodie. " The first edition of that 
anthology contains two pieces by Best, "A Sonnet of the 
Sun" and a "Sonnet of the Moon." To the third edition 



BEST GENEALOGY 15 

(1610) he contributed "An Epitaph on Henry Fourth, the 
last French King," "An Epitaph on Queen Elizabeth," 
"Union's Jewell," "A Panegyrick to my Sovereign Lord 
the King," and a few other pieces. Best's name is only 
known in connection with the "Poetical Rapsodie. " The 
"Sonnet of the Sun," and "Sonnet of the Moon" are 
graceful pieces, and make us regret that the author wrote 
so little. (Davison's "Poetical Rapsodie," ed. N. H. 
Nicolas, 1826.) 

In Hutton's "List of Emigrants to America," 1600 to 
1700, we find the names of Christopher Best, 1623, to 
James City, Va. ; Richard Best (18 yrs.), 1635, to the 
Barbadoes, in the expedition from Gravesend, Eng. ; 
Thomas Best (33 yrs.), 1635, ^ n ^ ne same ship as Richard; 
Francis Bestt, to James City, Va., in the George, 1635. We 
find, in the early records of Massachusetts, that John Best, 
of Salem, came in the Hercules, in 163c;, from Sandwich, a 
village in the parish of St. George, Canterbury, England. 
John (Salem), probably son of preceding, married, Oct. 
10, 1670, Susanna Doren, and had, John, born Sept., 1671- 
2, and Susanna, born Jan. 25, 1674. In "Documents 
Relating to the Colonial History of New York," vol. ii., 
p. 456, we note the following entry in the "Book of Monthly 
Payments," No. 12, folio 92, kept by Jacob Sam, under 
date, Dec. 31, 1663, "to part duty for so much received 
for right of anchorage from the following ships, " among 
which was the Arent, Pieter Cornelissen Bes, Skipper, 
£100. In "Colonial New York" (Schuyler), and "History 
of the New Netherlands" (O'Callaghan), we are told that 
John Amadon Best was a captain in the Swedish navy. 
These extracts from early records are noted for the purpose 
of distinguishing the Bests of English and other foreign 
descent from the Bests of Holland, who, for the most part, 
settled among the "Plat Dutchers" of Kippsbergen; and 
it is the latter with whom we are concerned. In "Docu- 






16 BEST GENEALOGY 



mentary History of New York," vol. Hi., page 58, among 
the list of immigrants to New Netherland, who embarked 
in the Beaver, May. 1661, were Peter Marcelis van Beest, and 
wife and four children, and two servants; Aert Pietersen 
Buys van Beest, and wife and son; Frans Jacobsen van 
Beest, and wife and two children; Widow, Geertje Cor- 
nells van Beest, and six children; Widow, Adreaentje 
Cornells van Beest, and daughter; Goosen Jansen van 
Noort van Beest; Hendrick Dries van Beest; Neeltje Jans 
van Beest; Geertruy Teunissen van Beest. Embarked, 
in the Rosetree, March, 1663, Jan Petersen Buys van 
Beest. Embarked, in the Spotted Cow, April, 1663, 
Marytje Theunis van Beest. Everts and Ensign, in 
their "History of Columbia County," p. 23, give also 
the above names and say that they are "of those who 
are believed to have been among the earliest settlers upon 
lands in this county. " Upon arriving at New Nether- 
lands the names of these immigrants do not appear again 
in any of the annals or records of the Province, until nearly 
half a century later. We may, therefore, assume that the 
ships' registrars intended, in these instances, to designate 
the name of the small hamlet, Beest, in Holland, from 
which these persons migrated, and from which they prob- 
ably derived their name. Having found for them a name, 
let us examine now the church records, for marriages and 
baptisms, many of which were, in early days, imperfectly 
kept, some of which were lost, and others destroyed. In 
these early records we discover the names of four Bests, 
only, which may be connected together from the fact 
that many of their children were baptized in the same 
churches, intermarried, and had, as witnesses to the bap- 
tisms of their offspring, when possible, each other, or 
their children. Their names were (John) Jacob Bast 
(Best), (George) Juriaan Best, Beeltje van Beest (Best), 
and William Best. We know that one of them, and one 
only, so far as the records show, settled in the neighbor- 



BEST GENEALOGY 17 

hood of Annesburg, now Germantown, in 17 10, near, or in, 
the German Palatinate, founded by Queen Anne, for the 
settlement of the Palatines, by the purchase of 6000 acres 
of land in Livingston Manor, from Robert Livingston. 
"Documentary History of New York," vol. iii., page 572, 
says that Jacob Bast (Best) was a Palatine volunteer 
for the expedition against Canada, 171 1, from Annesburg. 
Sometime before 1750, his descendants settled on the 
"Flats," in Livingston Manor, to be near the "Low 
Dutchers," as the Hollanders were called. The "Flats" 
were described, in 1730, as being "in the North Ward of 
Dutchess County, and situated on the south-westerly 
side of a large plain, near the grist-mill of Henry Beekman, 
the patentee," where they built their churches, and founded 
the community of Kippsbergen. Their power and in- 
fluence were never great, and they were soon overwhelmed 
by the "High Dutchers," or German Palatines, by the 
strength of the tide with which they came into the country. 



I 



1 BEELTJE VAN BEEST (Best) ; m. Jacob Decker, 
of Shawangunck, near Kingston, and had issue: 

2 Broer, bp. June 1, 1701, in the old Dutch Church, 
at Kingston. Spons., Broer Decker, Cornelia 
Decker. 

Jacob Decker, the husband of Beeltje, was commissioned 
by the Governor of the Province of "Niew Yorke, " in 1700, 
as Ensign in a Militia Regiment, "in ye County of Ulster," 
•Foot Company, Capt. Jocham Schoonmaker. He was 
a Freeholder in the "Towne of Shawangunck," in Ulster 
Co., in 1720. "Doc. Hist, of N. Y.," vol. i., p. 362. As a 
property owner, he "enlisted" the names of the following 



18 BEST GENEALOGY 

slaves: males, Jan, Charles; females, Floor, Grace, May 
7, 1755. "Doc. Hist, of N. Y.," vol. iii., p. 847. 



Ill 

3 GEORGE JURIAAN (Jury) BEST; m. Antjen 
Donsbag, of Minnisink, Ulster County, and was the father 
of six children, as follows: 

4 Anna Christyn, bp. July 27, 1712. Spons., 

Johan Willem Snyder, Anna Catryn, his wife; 
m. Hermans Dekker. 

5 Pieter, bp. Oct. 31, 1 7 14. Spons., Pieter van 

Leuven, Catryna Snyder. 

6 Eva, bp. July 1, 17 16. Spons., Jan Biks, Eva 

Brink. 

7 Niclaes, bp. Feb. 1, 17 19. Spons., Niclaes de 

Pue, Wyntjen Roosa. 

8 Jacob, bp. Feb. 5, 17 21. Spons., Cornells Ennis, 

Marytjen van Etten. 

9 Margriet, bp. Mch. 10, 1723. Spons., Henrich 

Donsbag, Margriet Donsbag. 

All of the above baptisms are recorded in the Baptismal 
Record of the Dutch Church, at Kingston. 

George Jury Best was one of the Freeholders ot the 
"Towne of Marble Towne," in 1728. "Doc. Hist, of N. 
Y." vol. iii., p. 971. 

The parents of Antjen Donsbag were Henrich Donsbag 
and Margriet Kaggle, who resided at Kingston. 



IV 
4 ANNA CHRISTYN BEST, daughter of (3) George 



BEST GENEALOGY 19 

Juriaan Best; m. July 4, 1733, Hermans Dekker. Married 
by Domine Geor Wilhelm Mancius. Issue: 

10 Rachel, bp. July 4, 1734. Spons., Jacobus West- 
val, Rachael Decker. 



XI 



11 WILLIAM BEST, m. Jan. 20, 1723, at the Dutch 
Church, in New York City, Mary Maggarits: "Personem 
met Geboden Jan. 5, 1723, Ingeteckent Jonathan Gleesen. 
j. m. V. Jerlant, met Mary Maggarits, Wed. V. William 
Best Getroinot Jan. 20, 1723" (Rec. of Mar. in Dch. Ch., 
N. Y., 1639-1801); and had: 

12 James, b. , who was a member of Captain 
Richards' Company, in New York City Militia, 
in 1738. " Doc. Hist, of N. Y.," vol. iv., p. 216. 
He had other children, probably (not traced), 
from whom many of the Bests, in New York 
City, may find their line of descent. 



XIII 



13 JACOB BEST, m. Anna Christina Dietrichin 
(Dederick), of Kingston. The six children are as follows: 

14 Anna Maria, b. Mch. 9, 1720; bp. Lutheran 

Church, N. Y. City. Spons., John Jacob 
Thengs, Anna Maria, and Agnes Dietrichin 
(probably sisters); m. Apr. 26, 1738, John 
Mare, "j. m. of Devonshire, Eng. Banns, Apr. 
1, 1738." She was described as of New York. 

15 Elizabeth, b. Apr. 2, 1722; bp. Lutheran Church, 



20 BEST GENEALOGY 

N. Y. City. Spons., John Peter Phillip, Eliza- 
beth Betzerin; m. Henrich Berringer. 

16 Johannes, b. about 1730; m. 1749-50, Eva 

Lounart; d. 1780. 

17 Harmanus, b. ; m. about 1750, Marytje 

Rurigh. 

18 Jacob, b. ; m., about 1760, Annatje Tact. 

19 Edward, b. ; m. Aug. 20, 1755, Catherine 

Ray. No issue. 

20 Coenradt, b. 

Jacob Best, as stated above, was a volunteer for the 
expedition against Canada, in 17 11. The Manor Church, 
in Livingston Manor, was erected in 1721, and organized, 
July 4, 1722, largely through the efforts of Robert Living- 
ston, who was granted, in writing, by Governor Burnet, 
the privilege of receiving from ' ' all Churches and Charitable 
People within the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, 
in America," all the "free and voluntary charity and 
Contributions of any of the inhabitants, " to aid him in the 
work. ("Col. Co., at the End of the Century," vol. i., p. 
601.) We know, also, that, until 1756, the congregation of 
this church depended entirely upon ministerial "supplies," 
and that the services therein were very irregular. The 
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of the Manor, 
was organized, in 1764, by the pastor of the Churchtown 
Society; and this red Dutch church and its red-painted 
Record Book were opened on Oct. 5, 1766, for the congre- 
gation. The building is described as "a plain frame meet- 
ing house, built on the post road near the old Stickles place. " 
It was used until 1820, and was generally called the "Piet 
Bush Church." The old residents of Johnstown say that 
the church stood opposite the orchard On the Clermont 
road, about one and a quarter miles south of the present 
village of Johnstown. In this orchard of full grown apple 
trees were found a number of "home "-cut headstones, 



BEST GENEALOGY 21 

much broken and roughly hewn, the fragments of which 
were translated by Mr. D. Vesteeg, the official translator, 
for many years, of the Holland Society of New York. 
Owing to lack of churches, irregular pastoral visitations, 
unsettled conditions of the region, and dangers and diffi- 
culties of travel, many of the marriages were, of necessity, 
made, in the presence of witnesses, before magistrates, 
whose records have not come down to us. With the 
erection of churches, and the establishment of clerical 
offices, with which they were familiar in their native land, 
the genealogical history of the Dutch, along the Hudson 
River, had its beginning. The children of Elizabeth, 
Johannes, Harmanus, and Jacob were, thereupon, duly 
presented for baptism. The names of the witnesses to 
these ceremonies show that the closest relationship existed 
between the parents. 

Coenradt Best, the son of (13) Jacob, fought in the 
Revolution. In Feb., 1776, he was chosen Ensign, in the 
3rd Company, 6th Regiment, Albany County Militia (new 
organization), Capt. John Lantman (Lampman), Col. 
Stephen J. Schuyler. (" Cal. of N. Y. Hist. Manuscripts," 
vol. i., p. 247.) After the Revolution he settled in Pernio 
sylvania, where many of his descendants are now living. 

XV 

15 ELIZABETH, daughter of (13) Jacob Best; m. 
Henrich Berringer, and had: 

21 Conrad, b. ; m. Jan. 23, 1763, Margaretha 

Schmidt, daughter of Zacharias Schmidt. 

22 Elizabeth, bp. Oct. 14, 1744; m., Apr. 4, 1763, 

Petrus Schmidt, son of Zacharias. 

23 Henrich, bp. Apr. 26, 1747; m. 1st, Jan. 19, 

1772, Sarah Boehm; m. 2d, Anna Gerges. 
He d. 1804. 



22 BEST GENEALOGY 

24 Hannah, bp. ; m. Coonard Finger. 

25 Catherine, bp. Oct. 26, 1755; m. Abraham T. 

Kip. 

26 Jacob, bp. May 13, 1761. 

27 George, b. Mch. 19, 1763; d. Aug. 28, 1849; m - 

1st, Dec. 14, 1787, Anna Maria Snyder; m. 
2nd, July 3, 1808, Catherine Ackert. 

28 Johannes, bp. ; m. Elsjen Blass (Plass). 

Catherine Pawling, of Rhinebeck Precinct, in Dutchess 
County, Province of New York, widow, by deed, dated 
December 4, 1747, gave to Henrich Berringer, and others, 
Elders and Deacons, of the High Dutch Reformed Church, 
of Rhinebeck, the church and four acres of land, with 
privilege to " cutt, ride and carry away all sorts of wood 
on the commons of Rhinebeck, aforesaid, for the use of said 
church and for fire wood for the minister and the church." 

Thomas Fingar, a grandson of (15) Elizabeth Best, lived, 
in 1808, near Germantown Village, and was one of the 
Commissioners of Highways in Road District No. 8, on 
" Road leading from a cross-road beyond Conrad Lasher's, 
so on to Conrad Fingar, then to George Snyder's, then 
to the south side of John Kortz' store, where it joins the 
other road." "Rhinebeck Genealogy," p. 191, by G. M. 
Smith. 

XXIII 

23 HENRICH, son of (15) Elizabeth Berringer; m. 
1st, Jan. 19, 1772, Sarah Boehm. Resided in Rhinebeck. 
Issue: 

29 Elizabeth, bp. Feb. 14, 1773. 

30 Rebecca, bp. Dec. 4, 1774. 

31 Jacob, bp. Apr. 27, 1777. 

32 Catharina, bp. May 30, 1779. 

33 Annatjen, bp. July 8, 1781. 



BEST GENEALOGY 23 

34 Johannes, bp. Mch. 6, 1785; m. Maria 

Elsever. 

35 Sarah, bp. July 19, 1789; m. Philip Kip. 

36 Jeremias, bp. Dec. 30, 1795. 

M. 2nd, Anna Gerges, and had: 

37 Martin, bp. Nov. 30, 1800. 

Henrich Berringer left a will dated Dec. 17, 1804, in 
which he names his son John, brother George, and brother- 
in-law Abraham T. Kip, Executors. 

XXVII 

27 GEORGE, son of (15) Elizabeth Berringer; m. 
1 st. Dec. 14, 1787, Anna Maria Snyder, and had: 

38 Jeremias, bp. Aug. 3, 1788. 

39 Elizabeth, bp. Mch. 6, 1791. 

40 Catherina, bp. Oct. 6, 1795; m. Sept. 2, 1828, 

Daniel D. Cooking ham, at the Lutheran Church 
of Ghent. 

41 John, b. Aug. 18, 1793; m. Sallie Bennett. 

42 Elias, bp. Dec. 6, 1798; m. Maria Shoe- 

maker. 

43 Maria, b. ; m. Sept. 6, 1828, David Vra- 

denburgh. 

M. 2nd, July 3, 1808, Catherine Ackert, who d. Mch. 
24, 1843. Issue: 

44 Ephraim, b. 

45 Julia, b. 

XLI 

41 JOHN, son of (27) George Berringer; m. Sallie 
Bennett, and had: 

46 George,, b. 



24 BEST GENEALOGY 

XVI 

16 JOHANNES, son of (13) Jacob Best; m. about 1749- 
50, Eva Lounart, and had the following: 

47 Jury (George) J. ; m. Marytje Hooft. 

48 Eva, bp. ; m. Oct. 23, 1770, Hendrick 

Platner, at Dutch Church, Albany. No issue. 

49 Johannes, b. Apr. 24; bp. Apr. 28, 1751. Spons., 

Johannes Petrie, Thipyta Ham; m. Margaret 
Mesick; d. Oct. 25, 1820. 

50 Elizabeth, bp. at Johnstown, Apr. 9, 1758. 

Spons., Harman Best, Maritie Rurich; m. 
Jacob Power. 

51 Jeremias, bp. Feb. 22, 1761. Spons., Jurie 

Rosman, and wife, Lena Lesscher. Single. 

52 Wilhelmus, bp. Nov. 2o, 1763. Spons., Willem 

Bartel, Geertruy Rees; m. Mary Platnaar 
(Platner); d. July 30, 1829. 

53 Anna, bp. May 18, 1766. Spons., Dirk Janse, 

Anna Best (Aunt) ; m. Philip Rockefeller. 

54 Jacob, b. ; m. Elizabeth (Eva) Smith. 

55 Benjamin, b. . Single. 

56 Catherine, b. __ ., ; m. Elias Young. 

57 Hendrick, b. . Single. 

58 Peter, b. ; m. 1778 (60) Christina 

Best, daughter of (17) Harmanus Best. 

Johannes Best settled on a life leased farm of 130 acres 
of land, now (1900) occupied by William Bryant, in the 
northern part of Livingston Manor, in the town of Cler- 
mont, at the intersection of the Albany Post Road and 
the road to Elizaville, within a stone's throw of the resi- 
dence of Ffitz Mujigh (Mesick), the original ancestor of 
the Mesicks in this country (Mesick Genealogy). By 
reason of the close intimacy two intermarriages shortly 
resulted. 




BEST GENEALOGY 25 

In the Register of Membership of the Johnstown Dutch 
Church appears the name of "Johannes Best and syn 
huysvrouw, " in 1759; Deacon of the church, Jan. 7, 
1759; Elder, Dec. 18, 1763, to Jan. 16, 1771. 

He had five sons in the War of the Revolution. He 
himself served in the war, being a member of the 10th 
Regiment (Land Bounty Rights), Capt. Conrad Cline; 
and, also, a member of the Independent Company, Capt. 
Petrus van Gaasbeck. (55) Benjamin saw service in the 
8th Regt., and in the Independent Co., under the same 
Captain, afterwards joining the 6th Co., 10th Regt., Col. 
Robert R. Livingston, the same company of which his 
brother, (52) William, was a member, and of which his 
brother, (49) John, Jr., was Lieutenant. (47) George J. 
served in the same Independent Co. as his father, Johannes. 
(49) John, Jr., served in the war (stated in full under his 
family record). (58) Peter took part in the Revolution 
(see under his family record). These troops were all a 
part of the Albany County Militia. " N. Y. in the Revo.," 
p. 133. The following note, appearing in Spofford's " Gaz- 
etteer of Columbia County, " may interest: "On the 27th 
of Mch., 1791, a Special Act of the Legislature was passed, 
authorizing the building of a school house and the main- 
taining of a school master, in the town of Clermont, out 
of the ' moneys arising from excise and other sources, 
in the hands of Overseer of Poor, but not needed for the 
support of the poor.' " (47) George J. Best, and Marks 
Blatner, brother-in-law, were of the number authorized 
to carry out the Act. A small piece of land was set aside 
for the use of the Palatine Minister, "provided he shall 
likewise teach the school." (47) George J. was Executor 
of the will of Johannes Michel Mochie. 

Phillip Lounart, the father of Eva Lounart, in his will, 
recorded Mch. 17, 1768, describes himself as of " Rhinebeck 
Precinct, Livingston Manor, Yoeman, " and names his 
wife, Anna Catrina, son, Peter, daughter, Eva, wife of 



26 BEST GENEALOGY 

(16) Johannes Best, daughter, Catrina, wife of Nicolas 
Traver, and grandson, Philip Traver. He appoints his 
son, Peter, (16) Johannes Best, and William Beam, Ex- 
ecutors. 

The widow Lounart was still living in 1790, and occu- 
pied the old homestead on the " right hand side of the road 
to the Manor House from the Linlithgo Reformed Church, 
being the first house. " 

One of the earliest wills recorded in the office of the 
Surrogate of Columbia County is that of (16) Johannes 
Best. His will is dated Dec. 10, 1787, and was pro- 
bated Apr. 4, 1788. In it he names his sons (55) Ben- 
jamin and (49) John, and (64) George Best, son of his 
brother, Harman, Executors. He speaks of himself as 
" being sick and weak of body, but of sound and perfect 
mind and memory " ; desires that his burial shall be " decent 
without pomp or state"; mentions his "dear and lovely 
wife," to whom he bequeaths two negro women, named 
"Bet," and "Rose"; mentions his sons, Jacob, Johannes, 
Benjamin, Wilhelmus, and Jeremiah, and his daughters, 
Catherine, Eve, Elizabeth, and Hannah. The witnesses 
were Solomon Martin, John Minchlaer, and Leonard Ten 
Broech. 

JOHANNES BEST ARDGEBORENDEN 172, UND 

WARD ANNO UND MGNTHEN UND DAGE 

ALD UND SDARBDEN, 1788. 

XVII 

17 HARMANUS, son of (13) Jacob Best; m. about 
1750, Marytje Rurigh. Both of Livingston Manor. Issue: 

59 Catrien, bp. Feb. 3, 1751. Spons., Adam 

Petries, Catryn Vonk; m. Jacob Decker. 

60 Christina, bp. Aug. 17, 1760. Spons., Niclaes 

Dick, and wife, Christina Herder; m. (58) 



BEST GENEALOGY 27 

Peter Best, son of (16) Johannes Best and Eva 
Lounart. 

61 Magdalena, bp. Feb. 6, 1763. Spons., Willem 

Bitser, and wife, Magdalena Dunsbach; m. 
David Batz (Potts). 

62 Jacob Harmen, b. 1767; m. Eva Minklaer; 

d. Mch. 8, 1831. 

63 Anna, b. ; m. Seth Tobey. 

64 George, b. ; m. Marytje Musich (Mesick). 

65 Elizabeth, b. ; m. Martin T. Cooper. 

Harman Best was living in 1790 in the vicinity of Cler- 
mont, south of Johnstown and north of Blue Store, in the 
town of Livingston. In "Calendar of Wills," in 1785, 
we find him as Executor of the will of Jacob Blattner 
(Platner), a miller, of the Manor. Also, under same date, 
as Executor of the will of Jury Mosser (Mosier), of West 
Camp, Albany County. He was one of the signers of the 
petition for the mitigation of the sentence by court-martial 
of Aarnold Viele, in 1777. "Calendar of New York His- 
torical Documents," vol. ii., p. 192 (Petitions ^^: 486). 

" Unto the Honorable, the Council of Safety for the 
State of New York, now setting at Kingston: 

" The Petition of Aernout Viele, of the Manor of Living- 
ston, Humbly Sheweth, — That your Petitioner is now a 
prisoner in the City Hall of Albany unto sentence of death, 
and unless Almighty God inclines the Hearts of your Hon- 
ours to extend your clemency to him is to be executed on 
Monday next. In the deepest Distress and impressed 
with the most poignant emotions of contrition he implores 
permission to approach your Honours, and ardently re- 
quests that you will deign to consider his unhappy situation, 
lead astray by the insinuations and fallacious reasoning of 
designing men he has greatly erred and justly incurred the 
dreadful sentence passed against him. He does not com- 
plain of justice, but implores mercy, he is a youth inex- 



28 BEST GENEALOGY 

perienced in Politicks and Law, it was therefore easy for 
insiduous and evil meaning men to draw him into the 
snare that has proved his Ruin. He has not yet seen 
twenty-one years, and Death having deprived him of his 
Parents he was at a Loss for that wholesome admonition 
which might have been expected from such near and dear 
Relations. Reluctant to Quite this temporal Existence 
at so early a Period and but ill prepared for that unchange- 
able and eternal state which must commence after Death, 
he fervently beseaches your Honours to have compassion 
upon his youth and Inexperience, to forgive his crimes or 
mitigate the Rigour of his sentence, and permit to live 
and exert his utmost Endeavours to make an attonement 
to his injured Country. He has two orphan Sisters that 
depend upon God, upon him for support and Protection, 
who, if he suffers, must with his other Relations, although 
innocent of his crimes, partake of his disgrace. May it 
therefore please your Honours to take what is here repre- 
sented into your most serious consideration, and permit 
a sincere penitent to conjure you by the mercies of God 
shown to mankind in Jesus Christ to reverse or mitigate 
the sentence passed upon me or if it is irreversibly de- 
termend (which God forbid) that I must suffer an igno- 
minious Death be pleased for Christ's sake to grant me 
some longer Time than my sentence has stated, that I may 
repent of my sins and prepare for Eternity. And your 
Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall ever pray." 

" Dated, June 24, 1777. " (Signed) " Aernout Viele. " 

Among those who subscribed their names to the above 
petition were: (13) Jacob Best, (18) Jacob Best, Jr., (47) 
George J. Best, (17) Harman Best, (64) George (Jury) Best. 

In "Calendar of New York Historical Documents," 
vol. ii., p. 190 (Petitions 33: 484), we find the "Confession 
of Aernout Viele, " dated at the city and county of Albany, 
June 23, 1777: 



BEST GENEALOGY 29 

" A Confession of all My Misdeeds for which I am sory. 
"To the Honourable Court Mashel. 

" At first Notis was Given to Me to appere at the House 
of Bastion Been and the Man that Warned Me I Do Not 
Remember but I Whant there and Than I was Caled into 
the back Rume to this Men which asked if I was Willing 
to take the Oath of Secrit and I told him yeas I Could Kip 
Secrit but I asked him if it would Not bring Me Into 
Trouble and he Told Me No Danger and I took the oath 
than He Did Reed the in Listmant and there was these 
Low Letters Mantioned J. H. to be Chosen and appinted 
Colonel and I asked the Signification of these Letters and 
he said John Husten. Than I asked his Name and he said 
Christian Ware and another Man that Want Round with 
him George fincel. Than he asked me to take the Second 
oth and I Told him that I was afraid of Trouble. That 
he Told Me That Tsaut True the Country to Save our Lives 
and familys that the Rigolars was Rathy to Com True 
the Contry and that there should be No Marsey Shown 
to tham if the Did not Dow this than I Took the oath Than 
I Want home than I thoat I have Good Neighbours at 
home it should be hard that they should sufer I Told Lieu- 
tenant Cornelius Dacker of and he said that he would not 
Due it but after That he Did it for we Tought it for our 
Good but Christian Whare told us that we Should join 
the Regolars if the Did come up the River Than Sum Days 
afterwords Handarick plas Come in the Neighbourhood 
about fore Miles from our house with Sutch Papers and 
than Gorge More sent for Me to Com to the house of Gidion 
Fradanburgh the same Night by John Turner and he Told 
My Brother Chark and he Told Me and I Want there and as 
I Com in thay samed to be glad and Matthew Everts was 
Righting sum of these Names Down than Mr More Com up 
to Me and asked if I would Reed that baper to him and the 
pepel in the Rume and I Told him that I Did Not Like 



30 BEST GENEALOGY 

than he Told Me that I must Dueth for there was Nobody- 
fit in the Rume nor in the Neighbourhood but I Could Reed 
Good English and Explain it to them in Dutch Than I 
asked him to show his Auturity Than he Laid his Paper 
Down upon a Table and I sat Down and Looked it over 
and I Got up from the Table and said I Did not Like to 
Dow it and Mr More said you Moust Dow it four your 
Nighbours than I Did it fornisheth the oth to the People 
and Lift the Paper with tham after sum Days Came Mr 
More and Hendarick Plas and Jacob frayr and David 
fray to have Me to go with tham to Tunis Sneks house they 
should have sum People there Gathereth I Told tham to 
Git Sumbody els that I Did Not Like to Dow it, says Mr 
More it is No hurt you Moust Dow it Than I whant and 
Did fournish the oath. Than I Was Desired by Mr More 
and sum more in the Rume to Com there onse More for 
Mr Mores Brother Was Not there and sum More of the 
Nighbours and God Nows that I Did Not Love to Dow it 
but Told Tham yeas and Did so Than I was Desired by 
Mr More and Handirick Plas to Com to Philip frayrs and 
whant to go thare Isaac fadenburgh Wife Stopt me Upon 
the Road by her house and Told Me that I was Desiered 
to Com to Cornelius Vousburgh but Know Not for what 
but Philip frayrs soun Told her's so to sand me thare and 
thare I Did the same fournished the oath to them Whan 
I was the Second Time at Tunis Snuck Than Mr More Told 
Me to keep the Papour with Me for there Was sum people 
in the Rume that Did Desier Me to Com to one John 
Dengses, and I whant thare and whan I com Neir the 
House I was stoped By a parsel of Man that Told Me to 
Go Back to one Handarick Hous Rought [Hoysradt] and 
the Man I Did Not know then I want there and fournished 
the oath to Tham than I want Home and Than Thare 
Come tow soutch persons and Desireth Me to fournish 
the oth to and I Did and these Tow Man Desired Me to 
Go to My Brother Philip Viele My Brother Was Not at horn 



BEST GENEALOGY 31 

Nor his Wife that there Was three Man Good frinds of tham 
that I should oblige tham very Mutch for the Wanted to 
take this oath and I want and Mit one of tham Chause to Me 
to fitch Me for one Tham was Not Well fornished the oath 
tham and Returned home and Give the Paper to Nicolis 
Brese and he Wanet [went] of with it and he Returned 
and Broat another to I aske him where he Got it he told 
me in Claverack Than I was Desire to go to Jacob Deckers 
one Evening and Did and fournished the oath to one Man 
Jacob Decker and after that I Give the Paper to Christian 
Crott and sum Days after he give the Paper to me again 
and I Laid it in the house and Niver seen it since as for the 
Overseers Thare was none as I know as yet. But there 
was sum Tock [talk] that the Nighbourhood Did Chause 
Isaac Speer for Capt Bastion Been Lieutenant and Me for 
Ensign and had Tocked Soum of them to have Peter Grine 
for Capt. But there was no Sartinty for there was No 
oversears appointed for I Niver tought to hirt the Country. 
But Did it save our salves This is all Gentlemen that I 
Do Know about it that I can Declare. 

" Aernout Viele. 

" But this was Reported in our Nighbourhood that thare 

was fore Man against one in Albany that had Doun this tow 

of the had Comitys and our County Except one and John 

and Hary Livingston and Colonel Van Naula in Claverack.' ' 

In the "Calendar of New York Historical Documents," 
vol. i., p. 581 (Miscel. Papers, 36: 656) 1776, Richard 
Esselstyn, Major of the Independent Company, of Claver- 
ack, writes of a "Skirmish at Taghkanick": "On Friday 
last a Scrimmage happened near Tachkanick 2 Horses 
kiled of ours, of the Tories Nicolas Brasie, Jur. wounded and 
a few Prisoners taken. In the Evening of the Same Day 
a Partey of ours came up to the house of Isaac Spoor in 
Taghkanick where they found several Torys whoe opposed 
our men on which a fireing Inseued. our Party took 



32 BEST GENEALOGY 

several prisoners and wounded one Nicolas Brasie Senijor 
on Satterday Col Hogeboom with a Party of about 20 
men fell in with a party of about 100 Torys near Tach- 
kanick at the House of George Weler where a smart fireing 
happened. The Col was obliged to Retrete with the loss 
of one horse killed, of the torys one John Lyck mortily 
Wounded whoe died the next day; the Cole being Rein- 
forced went In persute of the Torys overtock them at the 
Long Laik [lake] about Sik mils from [17] Harmen Basts 
[Best] and thair fell upon them kiled of the torys James 
Dacker wounded one Finckel and took 15 Prisonars of that 
Party the next Day Sunday we took another toare and 
took two more of said Party. We hope to be able to give 
a fuller and better account of them in a few Days. 

(Signed) " Richard Esselstyn, Major. " 

From a fragment of an ancient book, containing a 
journal of the " Committee of Safety, " in the Revolutionary 
War, we find the following regulations, which were in- 
tended to provide against surprise by the Tories: "Articles 
for Regulating the Night Watch in the Manor of Livingston 
to commence 27th September, 1776, and to continue 
whenever thought proper, according to a resolve of this 
Committee. 'Art. 1. That the Guard for every Night 
consist of twelve men exclusive of the officer. 2. That 
the Guard shall muster at Eight o'clock p.m. at the Guard 
House. 3. That the Guards shall take the first Grand 
Rounds at 9 o'clock precisely. 4. That the Guard be 
dismissed by 5 o'clock a.m. 5. That the officer of the 
Guard station two men at the house of Dirck Jansen, and 
two men at the house of [17] Harme Best, which men shall 
be relieved every 2 J hours. 6. That the Officer shall 
take the Grand Rounds, with the Eight remaining Men, 
every 2 J hours. 7. That when any person is seen, the 
Guard to Challenge them three times distinctly, and if no 
answer is returned, or attempts to run, the Guard to have 



BEST GENEALOGY 33 

full liberty to fire. 8. That when any person is taken 
by the Guard, to be detained there until the Officer of the 
Guard comes up, when if he can't produce a certificate, 
or give satisfaction to the officer, to be detained till morning 
and then brought to the Chairman of the Committee. 
9. That every Centinel that is found sleeping, to be put 
under Guard, till morning, and brought to the Chairman 
of the Committee. 10. That every Officer or private 
Man that Refuses or Neglects to serve, to be dealt with 
according to the Resolutions of the Provincial Congress 
for Regulating the Night Watch, n. That every Man 
is to Mount Guard in person, unless prevented by sickness. 
12. That no man is Excused from serving by being from 
home; he is to procure a Man for his Night, otherwise to 
pay the fine. ' ' Resolved that the Night Watch to be 
kept from Dirck Jansen's to [17] Harme Best's, shall con- 
sist of eighty four men, which number is to be divided in 
seven subdivisions. ' ' Resolved That twelve men be the 
Guard for a Night, exclusive of the Officer. ' ' Resolved. 
That the Night Watch to be kept at Samuel Ten Broeck's 
shall consist of twenty eight men, which number is to be 
divided in seven subdivisions.' " 

In the year 17 81, a bounty of " Land Rights, " so called 
(a " Right" being 500 acres of land), was offered to officers 
and men for two regiments then to be raised, for the 
defence of the State. To a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and Major, four rights; to a Captain and a Surgeon, three 
rights; to a Lieutenant, Ensign, or Surgeon's Mate, two 
rights; and to a non-commissioned officer or private, one 
right. Any master or mistress who should deliver an able- 
bodied slave to serve, one right. By an Act of the Pro- 
vincial Congress, dated Apr. 1, 1778, each militia regiment 
was divided into "classes" of fifteen men each; when 
soldiers were needed to recruit the line regiments, each 
class must, within nine days, furnish a man fully armed 



34 BEST GENEALOGY 

and equipped. In case they neglected so to do, the desig- 
nated class proceeded, at once, to draft one of the number 
by lot. By an Act of Mch. n, 1780, every regiment was 
again divided into classes, this time of thirty-five men each, 
and when soldiers were required as before, these classes 
were also called upon to furnish a man as before, and in 
case of a failure so to do within fifteen days, were fined a 
sum equal to double the amount of the highest bounty 
which had then been given. This fine was collected by 
distress and sale of goods and chattels of those refusing to 
pay, or, if not possessed of property, they were committed 
to "joil" (sic) "without bail or manprize" until the sum 
was paid. If a class furnished a man as the law required, 
it received a money bounty, sometimes as much as £80. 
As the war progressed and the needs of the government 
became more pressing, land "Rights" were added to the 
money bounty; and on Mch. 23, 1782, an Act was passed 
providing that any class or any person who furnished 
an able-bodied man to serve " for three years or during 
the war" should be entitled to 600 acres; or 350 acres for 
a two-year enlistment; and any person or class who 
should deliver a man within twenty days from the time 
of the notification, 200 acres extra. The usual form of 
a "Class Right" to a land bounty was this: "We, the 
subscribers belonging to Class in Tenth Regiment 

of Albany County Militia do hereby transfer and assign 
to of the Precinct of Rhinebeck, in Albany County 

and State of New York, yeoman, and to his heirs and 
assigns forever, all our right and title to the annexed 
certificate and gratuity or bounty of 200 acres of land to 
which we are entitled by reason of an Act entitled, ' An 
Act for raising troops to complete the line of this State in 
the service of the United States, and the two regiments 
to be raised on bounties of unappropriated lands and for 
the further defence of the frontier of this State,' passed 
the 23rd day of March, 1782." Among the militiamen 



BEST GENEALOGY 35 

who signed the "Class Right" shortly before the end of 
the war, who were ready to serve, and some of whom saw 
actual service in the war, were (64) George Best, (47) 
George J. Best, (17) Harman Best, (57) Henry Best, 
(16) Johannes Best. 

XVIII 

18 .JACOB, son of (13) Jacob Best, m. about 1760, 
Annatje Tact, of Marble-Towne, Ulster Co., and had: 

66 Elizabeth, b. ; m. Hendrick Smitt 

(Smith). 

67 Johannes J., bp., at Johnstown, Aug. 9, 1761. 

Spons., Johannes Tact, and wife, Elizabeth 
Ruyter; m. Christina Ham; d. May 

10, 1835. 

68 Annetie, bp. July 22, 1764, at Albany. 

69 Margarita, bp. Feb. 9, 1767, at Albany. 

70 Catherine, bp. ; m. John G. Ross- 

man. 

71 Petrus J., bp. Sept. 24, 1774, at Churchtown; m. 

Elizabeth Minklaer; d. 1850. 

72 Jacob, b. ; m. Margaret Fingar; d. 

1861. 

73 Benjamin, bp. Feb. 16, 1785, at Churchtown. 

Jacob Best resided on a farm in the northern part of 
Albany County (now Rensselaer), on the east side of the 
Hudson River, south of Schodack, and about three miles 
from the river. "Doc. Hist, of New York," vol. iii., 
p. 917 (Map of Rensselaer Manor). He married a daughter 
of Johannes Tact and Elizabet Ruyter. He saw service 
in the Revolution. He was first a member of Capt. Richard 
Esselstyn's Company of "regiment of foot," which was 
organized in Rensselaer Manor, prior to the Revolution, 
and is supposed to have seen service, of a sort, in the war. 



36 BEST GENEALOGY 

"Archives of the State of New York," vol. i., p. 268. 
Was commissioned Ensign, Oct. 20, 1775; chosen Lieu- 
tenant, Feb. 25, 1778, 8th Regt., 3rd Co., Albany County 
Militia, 1st Claverack Battalion, for the Manor, Col. 
Robert Van Rensselaer, Capt. John Bartel. He was, also, 
a member of the 5th Regt. (Land Bounty Rights). " N. Y. 
in the Revo.," p. 226. He was one of the signers of the 
Viele Petition. 

XLVII 

47 JURY (George) J., son of (16) Johannes Best; 
m. Marytje Hooft, and had: 

74 Petrus, bp. Mch. 20, 1763. Spons., Pieter Ham, 

and wife, Cathrina Louwrie. 

George J. Best was one of those who signed the Viele 
Petition. "Cal. of N. Y. Hist. Doc," vol. ii., p. 192. 

XLIX 

49 JOHANNES,£son of (16) Johannes Best; m. Dec. 
14, 1772 (see Tucker's "New York Marriages before 1784," 
and " Records of the Reformed Dutch Church, New York 
City, 1639-1801"), Margaret Musich (Mesick), daughter 
of Hendrick Mesick and Catherine Dederick. She was 
b. Mch. 12, 1756; d. Oct. 5, 1831; and had the following: 

75 John J., b. July 10, 1773; m. Margaret (Mary) 

Lape; d. Apr. 19, 1863, aged 90 years. 

76 Catherine, b. Apr. 22; bp. May 6, 1775. Spons., 

Henrich Musig, and wife, Catharina Dederick; 
m. 1st, Teunis Becker; 2nd, Robert Ames; 
d. Aug. 18, 1838. 

77 Peter I., b. July 25; bp. Sept. 7, 1777, at Clav- 

erack. Spons., Petrus Miesig, Christina Maul; 
m. Maria Becker; d. Jan. 26, 1846. 



BEST GENEALOGY 37 

78 Henry J., b. Dec. 24, 1780; bp. Jan. 28, 1781, at 

Claverack. Spons., Hendrick Miesig, Cath- 
erine Miesig; m. Maria Finger; d. Oct. 18, 1866. 

79 Jacob W., b. May 8; bp. June 22, 1783, at Clav- 

erack. Spons., Jacob Decker, Catrina Decker 
(Best); d. Mch. 11, 1876. Single. 

80 Ephraim, b. Oct. 2; bp. Nov. 6, 1785, at Clav- 

erack. Spons., Johannes Kels, Elisabeth Ever- 
son; m. (153) Mary Best, daughter of (67) 
Johannes J. Best and Christina Ham; d. Dec. 
20, 1871. 

81 David, b. Aug. 18; bp. Sept. 23, 1787, at Clav- 

erack. Spons., George Best, Maria Miesig; 
m. Margaret Lape; d. Aug. 19, 1856. 

82 Abraham, b. Jan. 21; bp. Apr. 4, 1790, at Clav- 

erack. Spons., Petrus Herder, Sarah Miesich; 
m. Harriet Van Deusen; d. July 1, 187 1. 

83 Sarah, b. Apr. 21; bp. May 6, 1792, at Claverack. 

Spons., Peter Herder, Sarah Mussick; m. 
William Murray; d. Oct. 1, 1874. 

84 Jeremiah J., b. July 25, 1794; m. Phebe Kipp; 

d. Oct. n, 1874. 

John Best, Jr., and, Margaret Mesick, his wife, are buried 
at Johnstown, in the town of Livingston, directly in the 
rear of the old Dutch Church. The stones marking the 
graves are in excellent state of preservation. They resided 
in 1790 in Livingston Manor, in the northwestern part and 
north of Johnstown, near Glenco Mills (" Doc. Hist, of N. 
Y.," vol. iii., p. 835, map), in the house built by his father 
(16) Johannes. The Best and Mesick houses were within 
"gunshot" distance, and the farms adjoined each other. 
John Best, Jr., served with distinction in the Revolutionary 
War. Was first a member of the Independent Company, 
Albany County Militia, Capt. Petrus van Gaasbeck, 
probably attached to the 17th Regt., Col. Wm. B. Whiting. 



38 BEST GENEALOGY 

"N. Y. in the Revo." p. 133. Ensign, and, afterwards, 
Lieutenant, in 6th Co., same Militia, Capt. Jacob F. Shaver, 
10th Regt., Manor of Livingston, Col. Peter R. Livingston. 
Commissioned Lieutenant, Oct. 20, 1775. Reappointed 
Lieutenant, May 28, 1778. In the Record and Pension 
Office, War Dept., Wash., appears the name of John Best, 
Jr., on a receipt roll, dated, at Manor of Livingston, Mch. 
13, 1785, with remark, showing that he received £12. 
14s. 3p. for services in that organization (Col. Livingston's 
Regt.), which was in service from 1777 to 1781. As a 
Lieutenant of the Manor, his chief duty was to raise troops 
and forward supplies to the Continental Army. While in 
charge of troops, upon a foraging expedition, he was cap- 
tured; and, as was often the case, in the despatches of those 
times, a mistake as to his rank was made, as appears in a 
letter from Col. Armand, of the Partisan Corps, to Gen. 
Washington, at Headquarters (Newburgh?), which speaks 
of "Capt. Best," officer of the Pulaski Legion, prisoner of 
war, who is to be exchanged, of Count de Graff; and a 
second letter, from the same to the same, says that the 
exchange was made at Charlotteville, Va., Jan. 28, 1782. 
"The New York Historical Society Collections," pp. 326- 
329, pub. 1878. That such a mistake was made is evident 
from a letter from the Record and Pension Office, War 
Dept., Wash., which says: "Nothing has been found on the 
rolls, on file in this office, to show that a person named 
Best served as a captain [the underscoring is mine] in 
any military organization during the war of the Revolution." 
Everts and Ensign, in their " History of Columbia County," 
at page 256, mention "Capt. Best," but give no details 
of his services. The fact that there is no record of a Capt. 
Best, together with local tradition, valuable in a way, 
leads me to conclude that the Capt. Best above referred 
to was, in all probability, Lieutenant John Best, Jr. 

The records of the Dutch Church, at Linlithgo, show 
that he was Elder, and Deacon, from Apr. 8, 1779, to June 



BEST GENEALOGY 39 

i, 1790. "On Aug. 8, 1779, when James Van Deusen was 
Elder, and [49] Johannes Best, Jr., Deacon, the Consistory- 
promised Rev. Dr. John Livingston, if he would remain 
with them, 243 schepels of corn, and £40. 5s. 6p. in cash 
and sufficient wood. They had promised him 675 schepels 
of corn but could not get enough subscriptions. " Retiring 
Elder, 1807. Deacon, Aug. 31, 1809. Elder, May, 1811. 
In 1797, paid to the Church Fund, £13. 5s. 6p. On May 
25, Aug. 11, and Dec. 8, of that year, paid certain sums 
to the Fund. As auctioneer of church pews, Jan. 13, 
1816, he announces: "that next Monday, a fortnight, be 
the time for selling and renting the pews, at 10 o'clock, 
a.m." (80) Ephraim, his son, was appointed Clerk of the 
Sale. He occupied pew No. 12, with his son (77) Peter 
J. (deese sitte int gemeen). (80) Ephraim, his son, occupied 
pew No. 10, in this church. In 1808, John Best, Jr., was 
found by the Road Commissioners in Road District No. 
2, on the " Road leading from the Clermont line, and so 
past Philip Rockefeller's [who married (53) Anna, his 
sister] store, to the cross-road to Josiah Nash." 

The will of John Best, Jr., is dated 1820. In it, he 
describes himself as " Yoeman, " of the town of Living- 
ston; mentions his wife, Margaret, and sons, John, Peter, 
Henry, Jacob, Ephraim, David, Abraham, and Jeremiah, 
and daughter, Sarah Murray; and appoints Frederick 
Hauser, and sons, Peter and John Best, Executors. 

Hendrick Mesick, the father of Margaret Mesick, who 
married John Best, Jr., was a son of Ffitz Muzigh (Mesick), 
who came from Germany, about 17 19, landed at German- 
town, and settled in the northern part of Livingston Manor, 
on Claverack Creek, near Glenco Mills, on a life-leased farm 
of 230 acres of land, now (1889) owned by David Proper. 
His son, Hendrick, was born 17 15, and died Apr. 3, 1809, 
aged 95 years. He married Catherine Dederick, who died 
Dec. 20, 1792. Her tombstone, in the Claverack Cemetery, 
bears the following inscription: "In memory of Catherine 



40 BEST GENEALOGY 

Mesick, wife of Hendrick Mesick, who died Dec. 20, 1792." 
Hendrick Mesick lived on the old homestead, of which he 
had a joint-lease, with his father, until his death. There 
he was buried, but his remains, as well as those of his wife, 
were re-interred in the cemetery of the old Dutch Church 
at Claverack. Elected Deacon of the Linlithgo Reformed 
Dutch Church, Aug. 15, 1741; Elder, and member of the 
Consistory, from Aug. 15, 1741, to Apr. 19, 1775. Was 
commissioned Lieutenant, 6th Company, Regt. of Militia, 
for Livingston Manor, by Cadwalader Colden, Jan. 25, 
1764 (Mesick Genealogy). Was a member of "Regiment 
of Foot," organized in the Manor, prior to the Revolution, 
under command of Capt. William van Alstyn. In the 
records of the Dutch Church at Kingston, we find the 
notice of his marriage: "Hendrick Musick, j. m. and 
Catherine Diederick, j. d. both resid. in the Co. of Albanie 
married on the presentation of a license, Sept. 19, 1748, 
by Domine Geor. Wilhelm Mancius. " 

In the baptismal register of the Manor Church, at Liv- 
ingston, we find various spellings of Mesick, showing the 
possibilities of phonetic spelling, and some of the difficulties 
encountered by the searcher of old church records. We 
have, Musig, Musick, Misick, Mysic, Musie, Miesig, Mussick, 
Mussich, Miesick, Mussig, Missig, Mujigh; and there are, 
undoubtedly, many other variations. 

The will of Hendrick Mesick was in the possession of 
Harriet Mesick Elsefer, a great-granddaughter, recently 
deceased. In it, he appoints John Best, Jr., his son-in- 
law, and Johannes Young, his brother-in-law, Executors. 

(79) Jacob W. Best achieved distinction in the War of 
181 2, rising through the grades to the rank of Captain. 
After the close of the war he accepted a position in a bank- 
ing house, in Wall St., N. Y. City. After a few years he 
was advanced to the head of the firm, which he conducted 
successfully up to the time of his death, in the 93rd year 



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Passed the Secretary s Office, the 
1f-day ofotlcVLc/j— 18l£ 



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Secretary. 





■ 



THE APPOINTMENT OF JACOB W. BEST AS LIEUTENANT 



BEST GENEALOGY 41 

of his age. From papers in the possession of (292) Mrs. 
Cornelia C. De Groff, of Newark, N. J., to which the author 
has had access, and from other authorities, to which 
references are made, we obtain some knowledge of the 
military career of Jacob W. Best. In the first paper, over 
the signature and seal of Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins, affixed 
June 5, 181 1, and passed at the office of Secretary Elisha 
Jenkins, June 13, 1811, we find him appointed and con- 
stituted as Ensign of a company in the regiment of militia, 
in the county of Albany, whereof Wm. Fryer, Esq., is 
Lieutenant-Colonel commandant. Again we find him, 
under date of Aug. n, 181 2, appointed by Gov. Tompkins, 
Lieutenant of a company in the 89th Regiment of the 
Infantry of the State. The third paper, which is quoted 
in full, is as follows: " The People of the State of New York, 
by the Grace of God, free and independent, To Jacob Best, 
Greeting; We, reposing especial trust and confidence, as 
well in your Patriotism, Conduct and Loyalty, as in your 
valor, and readiness to do us good and faithful service, 
have appointed and constituted, and by these presents do 
appoint and constitute you the said Jacob Best Captain 
of a Company in the 89th Regiment of Infantry of our said 
state, whereof Sebastian Visscher, Esquire, is Lieutenant- 
Colonel Commandant. You are therefore to take the said 
Company into your charge and care, as Captain thereof, 
and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Com- 
pany in arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as 
their Captain, and you are also to observe and follow such 
Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive 
from our General and Commander in Chief of the Militia 
of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, 
according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance 
of the Trust reposed in you; and for so doing this shall 
be your commission, for and during our good pleasure, to 
be signified by our Council of Appointment. In Testimony 
Whereof, We have caused our Seal for Military Commis- 



42 BEST GENEALOGY 

sions to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and 
well-beloved, Daniel D. Tompkins, Esquire, Governor of 
our said State, General and Commander in Chief of all the 
Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with 
the advice and consent of our said Council of Appointment, 
at our City of Albany, the second day of March, in the 
Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, 
and in the thirty-eighth Year of our Independence." 
(Signed) "Daniel D . Tompkins, Gov. ' ' Passed the Secretary' s 
Office, the 1 8th day of April, 1814. (Signed) "J. Rutsen 
Van Rensselaer, Secretary." To which is attached the 
certificate of S. Visscher (initials undecipherable), city 
and county of Albany, that Jacob Best had taken and 
subscribed the oath required by law. Dated, at Albany, 
May 12, 1814. Capt. Jacob W. Best served on a number 
of General Courts Martial, the full record of which may 
be found in the "List of Ct. Martials, " at the Adjutant 
General's Office at Albany, and in the "Military Papers 
of Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor, 1807-1817," pages 
706, 709, 740. One of the Orders appointing a General 
Court Martial is as follows: "Adjutant General's Office, 
3d M.D., New York, Nov. 20, 1814. G. O.: A General 
Court Martial composed of the following officers of General 
Haight's Brigade will sit at or near his Encampment for 
the trial of such Officers and Prisoners of the Brigade as 
may be brought before it. President, Lt. Col. Moses 
I. Cantine. Members, Major, John Tush, Major, Isaac Du 
Bois, Capt. John Martin, Capt. Jacob Best, Capt. Conradt 
I. Van Gaasbeck, Capt. Ichabod L. Judson, Lieut. David 
R. Hobby, Lieut. Peter H. Spicer. Supernumeraries, 
Capt'n. Benjamin Van Bentheusen, Lieut. Ira Jenkins, 
Adjutant, Moses Aller, Judge Advocate. By Order, 
[signed] John R. Fenwick, Adjt. Gen'l. " A Brigade Order, 
addressed to the Encampment, at Brooklyn, Nov. 28, 
1814, is as follows: " Capt. Best, his officers and men having 
performed their tour of duty, are hereby honorably dis- 



BEST GENEALOGY 43 

charged from the service. The Commanding General 
cannot omit embracing the present opportunity of ex- 
pressing to Capt. Best and his officers his approbation 
of their conduct while under his command. The sub- 
ordination and orderly deportment of their men are 
evinced not only by their improvement in military dis- 
cipline, but in the accurate return which has been made 
of the arms and accoutrements entrusted to their hands. 
The General wishes them health and happiness, and bids 
them farewell." "By order of Gen. Haight, [signed] 
Theo. V. U. Varick, A. D. O." 



50 ELIZABETH, daughter of (16) Johannes Best; 
m. Jacob Power, and had: 

85 Margaret, b. Mch. 19; bp. Apr. 16, 1780. Spons., 

Johannes Best, and wife, Margaret Best. 

86 Francis, b. Oct. 26; bp. Nov. 28, 1787. Spons., 

Francis Bartel, Christina Schmitt. Both bp. 
at Claverack Dutch Church. 



LII 

52 WILHELMUS, son of (16) Johannes Best; m. 
Mary Platnaar, daughter of Mark Platnaar, Sr., of Johns- 
town, and had: 

87 William W., b. 

88 Jacob W., b. Dec. 20, 1788; bp. Jan. 18, 1789. 

Spons., Marcus Platner, Jr., Catherine Best. 

89 Polly, b. ; m. Clark. 

90 Sophia, b. 

91 Catherine, b. ; m. Henry P. Clum. 

92 Helen, b. ; m. Philip H. Mink. 

93 Henry, b. 



44 BEST GENEALOGY 

94 Elizabeth, b. 

95 John W., b. 

96 Martin C, b. 

97 Richard, b. Apr. 4; bp. May 4, 1800. Spons., 

Reuben Bartel, Elizabeth Best. 

William Best owned a large farm, on the road leading 
from Blue Store southward to Elizaville, in 1790. He was 
assessed to work 8 days, in 1803, in Road District No. 14, 
from the Blue Store to Thomas Swarts' store. He saw 
service in the Revolution. Was a member of the Inde- 
pendent Co., Albany County Militia, Captain Petrus van 
Gaasbeck. "N. Y. in the Revo.," p. 133. He served, 
also, in the 6th Company, 10th Regiment, Col. Peter R. 
Livingston. 

His son, (95) John W., was Lieutenant of Company 
No. 2, of " Minute Men, " of the second ward of the City of 
Hudson, formed in December, 1844, and called the "Law 
and Order Association," which was subject to the call 
of the Sheriff of the county for the suppression of the 
" Anti- Renters. " 

In the will of William Best recorded 1829, he mentions 
his children, William W., Jacob W., Polly Clark, Sophia 
Best, Catherine Clum, Helen Mink, Elizabeth Best, John 
W., and Martin C; and appoints his son Henry, daughter 
Elizabeth, and friend Jacob H. Best, Executors. 

XCI 

91 CATHERINE, daughter of (52) Wilhelmus Best; 
m. 1802, Henry P. Clum, b. 1777 ; d. 

1853. Resided Stockport, N. Y., and had: 

98 William H., b. 1813. Enlisted at Stock- 

port, June 24, 1 86 1, in Co. G., 30th Regt. 
Was killed at Upton Hill, Va., Oct. 15, 
1861. 



BEST GENEALOGY 45 

XCII 

92 HELEN (Lany), daughter of (52) Wilhelmus Best, 
m. Philip H. Mink. 

Philip H. Mink was Supervisor of the town of Gallatin, 
in 1803. He kept store, and conducted a saw-mill, con- 
structed for him by the Livingstons, under a life lease. 
Upon the organization of the Town of Gallatin, he was 
elected Overseer of the Poor. He and his brother, Henry 
P., were the first residents of Snyderville, afterwards 
called "Mink Hollow." 

It is deemed unnecessary to trace, in detail, the line 
of all the children of (52) Wilhelmus Best. Sufficient has 
been given to allow his descendants to trace their line of 
descent. 

LIII 

53 ANNA, daughter of (16) Johannes Best; m. Feb. 
n, 1787, at Claverack, Philip Rockefeller, and had: 

99 Catherine, b. Apr. 5; bp. Apr. 21, 1799. Spons., 

John Minklaar, Elizabeth Best. 

The will of Philip Rockefeller, registered May 12, 
1834, refers to his wife, Anna, but does not mention his 
child; probably dead. 

LIV 

54 JACOB, son of (16) Johannes Best; m. July 14, 
1769 (Banns), at Johnstown, Elizabeth (Eva) Smith. Both 
residents thereof. Issue: 

100 Helen, b. May 16 ; bp. June 26, 1777 ; m. William 

H. Feller. 

101 Levi, b. 



46 BEST GENEALOGY 

102 Eva, b. Sept. 12, 1780; bp. Feb. 4, 1781, at 

Claverack. Spons., Hendrick Blatner, Eva 
Best (sister). 

103 Margaret, b. . Single, in 1849. 

104 Johannis, b. Oct. 16, 1785; bp. June 10, 1786. 

105 Hendrick, b. Oct. 24, 1791; d. 1878. 

Jacob Best resided on a large farm, in the town of 
Milan, a few miles southeast of Pine Plains, then known 
as " Little Nine Partners Patent. " He, afterwards, moved 
to Pine Plains, and became the owner, in large part, of Lot 
46, of Little Nine Partners, as shown in the various deeds 
of conveyance, of record in the Clerk's Office of Dutchess 
County. One of the deeds shows that (67) Johannes J. 
was part owner of said Lot, and, with his wife, Christina, 
conveyed his interest therein. "Deed Books 30, 31." The 
will of (104) Hendrick was executed June 25, 1863, and 
is of record in the office of the Surrogate of Dutchess 
County. 

CI 

101 LEVI, son of (54) Jacob Best; m. Angelica 
Resided in the town of Pine Plains. Issue: 

105A Angelica, b. ; m. George M. Belden. 

Levi Best resided on the farm formerly owned by his 
father (54) Jacob, situate about one mile and a half west 
of the village of Pine Plains, which, with the farm owned 
by Robert Ham, comprised, for the most part, Lot 46, 
of the "Little Nine Partners Patent," which consisted 
of 1200 acres of land. The first purchasers of Lot 46 were 
Martin Ham and John Houghtaling, who were, also, 
partners in the Patent. The farm is now known as the 
"Jacob Ham farm." "History of Little Nine Partners," 
Hunting. 



BEST GENEALOGY 47 

We find, too, that Levi Best subscribed $20 for the 
purchase of an organ at the Presbyterian Church, at Pine 
Plains, in 1835. A local History tells us that Levi Best, 
and his sister (103) Margaret were, in 1849, members of 
the First Methodist Episcopal Church, at North German- 
town, which had been connected with the West Taghkanick 
Circuit. By deed, dated Apr. 1, 1842, Jacob H. Best, 
and wife, Christina, conveyed to (101) Levi Best, 151 
acres of land, in Lot 46, in L. N. P., where he resided until 
his death. 

LVI 

56 CATHERINE, daughter of (16) Johannes Best; m. 
Elias Young, and had: 

106 Johannes, b. July 8; bp. Aug. 5, 1792. Spons., 

Johannes Young, and wife, Annatje Diederick. 

LVIII 

58 PETER, son of (16) Johannes Best; m. 1778, 

(60) Christina Best, daughter of (17) Harmanus Best. 
Issue : 

107 Margaret, b. July 1; bp. Aug. 1, 1779. Spons., 

Johannes Best, and wife, Margaret Mesick; 
m. Abraham J. Fonda. 

108 Magdalena, b. May 24; bp. June 25, 1785. 

Peter Best took part in the Revolutionary War. Was 
a Lieutenant in Capt. Leonard Ten Broeck's Company, 
Albany County Militia, 10th Regt., Manor of Livingston, 
Col. Peter R. Livingston. Appointed, May 28, 1778. 
"N. Y. in the Revo.," p. 270. Also a member of the 
Independent Co., same Militia, Capt. Petrus van Gaasbeck. 
" N. Y. in the Revo.," p. 133. He was Constable of 
Livingston Manor. There is a receipt, dated Jan. 18, 



48 BEST GENEALOGY 

1776, signed by Thomas Colden, Sheriff of Ulster County, 
directed to (58) Peter Best, Constable of Livingston Manor, 
for writs for the election of Representatives. " Cal. of N. Y., 
Hist. Manuscripts," vol. c, p. 835. 

CVII 

107 MARGARET, daughter of (58) Peter Best; m. 
Abraham J. Fonda, and had: 

109 Harriet, b. July 27 ; bp. Sept. 17, 1796. Spons., 

Henry Botts, Elizabeth Best, 
no Maria, b. Apr. 20; bp. June 10, 1798. Spons., 

John Shafer, Maria Schmit. 

LIX 

59 CATRIEN, daughter of (17) Harmanus Best; m. 
Nov. 5, 1765 (Banns), at Johnstown, Jacob Decker. Issue: 

in Jacob, bp. Aug. 10, 1766. Spons., Jacob 
Decker, and wife, Marytje Vosburg. 

112 Eva, bp. Mch. 20, 1768. Spons., Johannes 

Best, and wife, Eva Lounart. 

113 Marytje, bp. Sept. 17, 1769. Spons., Charles 

McCarthy, and wife, Dorothea Decker. 

114 Johannes, bp. June 2, 1771. Spons., Johannes 

Best, Annatje Best. 

115 Elizabeth, b. July 24; bp. Aug. 1, 1779. Spons., 

Jacob Power, Elizabeth Power. 

116 Dorothy, b. Dec. 26, 1782; bp. Jan. 16, 1783. 

Spons., Johannes Wiest, Barbara Wiest. 

Jacob Decker was one of the signers of the Viele Petition 
(" Doc. Hist, of N. Y.," vol. ii., p. 192) ; served in the Revo- 
lution as a member of the 10th Regt., Albany County 
Militia (Land Bounty Rights), Capt. Conrad Cline. Town 



BEST GENEALOGY 49 

Clerk of Livingston, 1802. Town Clerk of Taghkanick, 
1803-1816. 

LXI 

61 MAGDALENA, daughter of (17) Harmanus Best; 
m. David Batz (Potts), at Claverack, and had: 

117 Anna, b. Apr. 3; bp. Apr. 28, 1782. Spons., 

Seth Tobie, Hannah Best. 

118 Petrus, b. Nov.; bp. Dec. 30, 1787. Spons., 

Petrus Schofe, Barbara Batz. 

119 Charles Vincent, b. June 6; bp. July 1, 1792. 

Spons., Charles Vincent, Polly Blattner. 

120 Wilhelmus, b. Aug. 2; bp. Aug. 24, 1794- 

Spons., Willem Batz, Christina Batz. 

121 Maria [ b. July 16; bp. Aug. 21, 1796. 

122 Elizabeth f Spons., Ludwig Batz, Maria 

Decker. 

LXII 

62 JACOB HARMAN, son of (17) Harmanus Best; 
m. 1786, Eva Minklaer, b. Aug. 12, 1765; d. Dec. 
27, 1837. Issue: 

123 Anna, b. Oct. 15; bp. Nov. 18, 1792. Spons., 

Seth Toby, Anna Best. 

124 Margaretha Livingston, b. June 27; bp. July 

15, 1799. Spons., Robert T. Livingston, Mary 
T.Livingston; m. Feb. 11, 181 6, John I. Petre. 

125 Jacob, b. ; d. 1829; m. Mary Pender. 

126 James, b. Mch. 14, 1805; d. Feb. 26, 1869; m., 

1st, Hannah Minklaer; m., 2nd, Amanda 
Bullock; m., 3rd., Christina Plass. 

Jacob Harman Best was a Lieutenant in the State 
Militia, in 1793. He resided on the homestead occupied 



50 BEST GENEALOGY 

by his parents at their decease, which was situated about 
two miles northwest from Johnstown. He was found by 
the Road Commissioners in Road District No. 21, from 
the Manor Mills to the Claverack line, 1803, and was as- 
sessed to work 8 days. 

cxxv 

125 JACOB, son of (62) Jacob Harman Best; m. Oct. 
25, 1821, at Claverack, Mary Pender. Issue: 

127 Herman, b. 

CXXVI 

126 JAMES, son of (62) Jacob Harman Best; m., 1st, 
Hannah Minklaer, b. 1802; d. May 15, 1846, 

in the 44th year of her age. Issue: 

128 Eugene, b. 

129 Clermont Livingston, b. Apr. 25, 1824; m. 

1st, Sarah Utley; m. 2nd, Mary Tooker; d. 
Apr. 7, 1897. 

130 Sarah Agnes, b. Dec. 13, 1842. 

M., 2nd, Amanda Bullock, b. Dec. 1, 1821; d. Dec. 15, 
i860, and had: 

131 Robert, b. ; m., 1st, Mary G. Hermans; 

m., 2nd, Emma . 

( 132 James R., bp. Sept. 2, 1859; m. 

\ 133 Anna, bp. Sept. 2, 1859; m. Edward Dexter- 

M. 3rd, Christina Plass, and had: 

134 Willard, bp. July 14, 1867. 

CXXIX 

129 CLERMONT LIVINGSTON, son of (126) James 
Best; m., 1st, 1847, Sarah Utley, daughter of Ralph 





COL. CLERMONT L. BEST 



BEST GENEALOGY 51 

and Sarah Utley, of Hudson, N. Y. She was b. 1824 ; 

d. Mch. 1883. Issue: 

135 Clermont Livingston, b'. Mch. 29, 1849; m. 

Laura Corbitt. 

M., 2nd, Sept. 29, 1884, Mary Tooker, daughter of 
Joseph G. Tooker, of N. Y. City. She was 
b. at Newport, R. I. He d. Apr. 13, 1902. 
Issue : 

136 Anna Tooker, b. 1886; m. 

Mrs. Clermont L. Best resided, in 1900, at No. 56 East 
67th St., N. Y. City, after the death of her husband. The 
war record of Colonel Best may be summarized as follows : 

Colonel Clermont L. Best, a hero of many wars, passed 
away on Wednesday night, April 7, 1897, at his home in 
New York City, after a week's illness, of heart disease. 
He was, then, on the retired list of the United States Army. 
Colonel Best was the son of James Best, a former Hud- 
sonian, and was born in the village of Livingston, in 
Columbia County, on April 26, 1824. On July 1, 1842, 
he entered the West Point Military Academy, from which 
he graduated on July 1, 1847. He was brevetted 2nd 
Lieutenant on the date of his leaving the Academy. He 
was made a 1st Lieutenant of the 4th Artillery on Sept. 
12, 1850; served in the Seminole War, in Florida, in '50, 
'56, and '57; was on frontier duty in quelling the disturb- 
ances in Kansas, in '57 and '58; and in the Utah expedition, 
in '58. He served, during the Civil War, in the Shenan- 
doah Valley, and in Maryland; and was made Captain of 
the 4th Artillery, on April 29, 1861 . He was in the northern 
Virginia campaign, in '61 and '62; was chief of the 5th 
Army Corps, which was in the battle of Cedar Mountain, 
August 9, '62, and the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, '62. 
He took part in the Rappahannock campaign, from Dec, 
'62 to June, '63, and was in the battle of Chancellors ville, 
on May 2-3, '63, where he was brevetted Major for 



BEST GENEALOGY 53 

Francisco woman, Miss Laura Corbitt. He was buried at 
the National Cemetery, 'Arlington,' Wash., D. C." 

CXXXI 

131 ROBERT, son of (126) James Best; m., 1st, 

1852, Mary G. Hermans, b. June 24, 1833; d. July 16, 1853; 
m., 2nd, Emma , b. Apr. 15, 1837; d. Apr. 23, 1858, 

at Kingston. Buried at Hudson. 

CXXXII 

132 JAMES R., son of (126) James Best; m. 
Issue : 

138 Wallace, b. ; m. 

139 Clara, b. 

LXIII 

63 ANNA, daughter of (17) Harmanus Best; m. 
Seth Tobey. 

Seth Tobey died in 181 6. Was licensed to keep an Inn, 
in 1786, in Hudson. In his will, recorded July 13, 1816, 
he gave to his wife, Anna, a lot of land, "situate in that 
part of my orchard, in the City of Hudson, used for a 
family burying ground," to be maintained as such; and 
appoints (62) Jacob H. Best as one of his Executors. 

LXIV 

64 GEORGE, son of (17) Harmanus Best; m. Jan. 25, 
1773, Marytje Mesick, at Johnstown, and had: 

140 Elizabeth, bp. July 20, 1775. Spons., Herman 

Best, and wife, Maria Elizabeth Rorich; m. 
Feb. 1, 1794, Marks Platner, Jr. 

141 Maria, b. Dec. 18, 1779; bp. Jan. 1, 1780. Spons., 

Mynder van de Bogert, Sarah Missig (Mesick). 



54 BEST GENEALOGY 

142 Hendrick, b. Jan. 21; bp. Feb. 17, 1782. Spons., 

Seth Tobie, Annatje Best. 

George Best was one of the Executors of the will of (16) 
Johannes Best. 

LXV 

65 ELIZABETH, daughter of (17) Harmanus Best; 
m. Martin T. Cooper. Issue: 

143 Jacob, b. Oct. 30; bp. Nov. 15, 1789. Spons., 

Jacob Best, and wife, Eva Best. 

144 John, b. Oct. 5; bp. Oct. 30, 1791. Spons., Jno. 

Cooper, Rachel Ham. 

145 Thomas Broadhead, b. Feb. 15; bp. Mch. 10, 

1793. Spons., Thomas Broadhead, Maria 
Curtis. 

Martin T. Cooper was Supervisor from the town of 
Clermont, in 1793, being the 2nd Supervisor elected after 
the organization of the town. Enlisted from Greenport, 
Sept., 1864, for three years, being then far beyond the age 
limit. In the will of Elizabeth Cooper, registered Jan. 
28, 1867, she appoints Jacob Cooper, of Hudson, brother- 
in-law, Executor, and Trustee to children, unmarried. 

LXVI 

66 ELIZABETH, daughter of (18) Jacob Best; m. 
Hendrick Smith. Issue: 

146 Hendrick, b. Dec. 31, 1780; bp. Jan. 28, 1781. 

Spons., parents. 

147 Jacob, b. Mch. 30; bp. May 2, 1784. Spons., 

Jacob Ham, Lenah Ham. 

148 Jeremy, b. Nov. 26; bp. Dec. 25, 1790. Spons., 

Martinus Cooper, Elizabeth Best. 






BEST GENEALOGY 55 

LXVII 

67 JOHANNES J., son of (18) Jacob Best; m. Nov. 7, 
1780, Christina Ham (Banns), both of Johnstown. She 
was b. Dec. 10, 1759; d. Dec. 3, 1846. Issue: 

149 Jacob, b. Apr. 7; bp. May 6, 1781. Spons., 

Jacob Best, Eva Best; d. Apr. 11, 1861. 

150 Margaritta, b. Mch. ; bp. Apr. 13, 1783. 

Spons., Fyt Rossman, Anna Rossman; d. 
buried Churchtown; m. Peter I. Rossman. 

151 Johannes, bp. Aug. 31, 1785. Spons., Jacob 

Fingar, Marytje Plass; d. Jan. 24, 1844; m. 
Elizabeth Sedam. 
; 152 Jeremiah, b. June 17, 1788; d. Feb. 5, 1876; m. 
Margaret Miller. 

153 Marytje, b. Oct. 3; bp. Nov. 1790. 

Spons., Wilhelmus Best, Marytje Platnar; 
m. Feb. 5, 1809, (80) Ephraim Best, son of 
(49) John Best, Jr., and Margaret Mesick; 
d. Sept. 26, 1869. 

154 Lena, b. June 13; bp. July 17, 1796. Spons., 

Jacob Ham, Lena Best; d. 1862; m. 

Michael Horton. 

155 Robert, b. Jan. 1, 1799; d. Dec. 3, 1890; m. 

Anna Maria Hallenbeck. 

156 Catherine, b. ; d. ; m. John W. 

Clapper. 

Johannes J. Best was retiring Elder of the Johnstown 
Dutch Church, in 1807. Elder, again, May, 181 1. The 
marriage record reads: "Johannes J. Best j. m. born in 
Livingston, in the ' Mannor of Livingstond' and Christina 
Ham, j. d. born in Livingston, and both residing in the 
'Mannor of Livingstond,' married on the presentation of 
a Certificate that 3 sabbath publications had been made 
without objection in the Church of the 'Mannor Living- 






56 BEST GENEALOGY 

stond' Nov. 7, 1780." The military history of John J. 
Best, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, as appears from 
his application for pension on file in the Bureau of Pensions, 
Department of War, Wash., D. C, is as follows: In 
1776, he served 9 months in the ranks, Capt. Petrus van 
Gaasbeck, Col. Livingston. In April, 1777, he enlisted 
for 6 months, Capt. Henry Pulver, Col. Hay. He again 
saw service, in 1779, for 3 months, under Capt. Leonard 
Ten Broeck. His application also states that he saw 
service for 2 months in each year, 1779, '80, '81; the names 
of the officers in command not being stated. He resided 
during his lifetime on the farm now known as the Diblee 
Farm in the town of Taghkanick; and was among the 
earliest settlers in the western part of the town, which 
was, then, within the boundaries of Livingston Manor. 
He was one of the petitioners to the Legislature, " de- 
manding an investigation into the Livingston Title." 
"Doc. Hist, of N. Y.," O'Callaghan. vol. Hi., p. 839. 

LXX 

70 CATHERINE, daughter of (18) Jacob Best; m. 
John G. Rossman, and had the following: 

157 George, b. Nov. 25, 1808. Spons., bp., Hannah 

Best. 

158 Jacob, b. Jan. 19, 1811. Spons., bp., Jacob H. 

Best, Eva Minklaer. 

159 Margaret, b. Jan. 7, 181 5; m. Henry S. Van 

Etten. 

160 William, b. 

161 Susan, b. ; m. Reuben F. Lapham. 

162 Eve, b. ; m. Samuel Jeremiah Lape. 

163 Ann, b. ; m. Samuel Shutts. 

164 Mary, b. ; m. Edward Stickles. 

165 James, b. 



BEST GENEALOGY 57 

John G. Rossman resided in the town of Livingston, 
where his son (165) James was living in 1900. In the 
Minutes of the Consistory of the Johnstown Church, dated 
May 4, 1 83 1, we find the following: "Resolved that the 
Note due the Consistory from Mencries Livingston be col- 
lected and that John G. Rossman and . . . be a committee 
for that purpose. " 

CLIX 

159 MARGARET, daughter of (70) Catherine Rossman ; 
m. Henry S. Van Etten, and had: 

166 Sarah, b. ; m. Henry Smith. 

CLXII 

162 EVE, daughter of (70) Catherine Rossman; m. 
Samuel Jeremiah Lape; b., at Churchtown, Jan. 28, 

1816; son of Thomas J. Lape and Lena Miller, and nephew 
of Margaret Lape, who married (75) John J. Best; d. before 
1870. 

CLXIII 

163 ANN, daughter of (70) Catherine Rossman; m. 
Samuel Shutts, b. Mch. 19, 1828, and had: 

167 Henry, b. 

Samuel Shutts resided at Livingston. He was Super- 
visor for 2 terms; Assessor, 9 years; Superintendent of 
Poor, 3 years; Justice of Peace, 12 years. He died in 
1907. He enlisted for the Civil War, at Claverack, Aug. 
15, 1862, 128th Regt., Co. G. He was one of the first 
directors of the Livingston Mutual Ins. Co., organized 
1848; and its secretary from 1867 to 1898. 



58 BEST GENEALOGY 

LXXI 

71 PETRUS J., son of (18) Jacob Best; m. 
Elizabeth Minklaer. Issue: 

168 Henry, b. July 2; bp. July 20, 1800. Spons., 

Peter A. Decker, Catherine Rossman; m. 
Hicks; d. 1850. 

CLXVIII 

168 HENRY, sonof (7i)PetrusJ. Best;m. Hicks, 

and had: 

169 Henry, b. ; m. Isabelle Hood. 

170 Herbert, b. ; m. Anna Waltermire. 

LXXII 

72 JACOB, son of (18) Jacob Best; m. 180? 
Margaret Fingar, b. Jan. 8, 1784; d. Feb. 24, 1875. Issue: 

171 Tunis, b. Apr. 29, 1805; d. Mch. 22, 1880; m. 

Lovina Doane. 

172 Eliza, b. Apr. 13, 1807. Spons. to bp., John 

J. Best, Christina Best; d. Aug., 1888; m. 
Daniel Sherwood. 

173 Alexander, b. Nov. 4, 1808; d. Apr. 1876; 

single. 

174 Mary, b. May 17, 1810; d. ; m. Carlostin 

Sanford Smith. 

175 Thomas J., b. Apr. 26, 1812; d. 1869; m. 

Apr. 27, 1833, Catherine A. Plumb, of Hudson. 
She d. 1895. Both buried at Gallatin- 

ville. 

176 John M., b. Mch. 25, 1814; d. May 1, 1896; m. 

1st, Harriet Tanner; m. 2nd, Caroline Vos- 
burgh. 

177 Richard, b. Jan. 22, 1816; d. Oct. 7, 1819. 



BEST GENEALOGY 59 

178 Reuben, b. Feb. i, 1818; d. ; m. Sylvina 

Booth. 

179 Helen, b. May 27, 1819; d. Mch. 15, 1848; 

single. 

180 Elizabeth, b. Sept. 24, 1821; d. July 24, 1839; 

single. 

181 Christina, b. June 5, 1823; living (1900); m. 

Mch. 30, 1876, Lyman Morehouse. He d. 
Apr. 20, 1876; no issue. 

182 Margaret Ann, b. Jan. 18, 1825; d. Dec. 24, 

1872; m. Lyman Morehouse. 

Jacob Best resided in the town of Milan, Dutchess Co., 
on a large farm. In his will, dated Mch. 24, 1854, and 
probated 1861, he appointed his sons (171) Tunis, (173) 
Alexander, (175) Thomas J., Executors. (173) Alexander 
resided in the town of Milan. Was a prosperous farmer; 
and, for some years, represented the town in the Board 
of Supervisors. At a special town meeting held at the 
house of Ambrose L. Smith, in the town of Milan, Little 
Nine Partners, Aug. 9, 1864, (173) Alexander Best was ap- 
pointed one of the Committee of three, under the following 
resolutions: "Resolved, That the Supervisor of the Town 
shall have the power to borrow money on the credit of the 
said town sufficient to pay to volunteers to fill the quota of 
the town under the call of the president for 500,000 men." 
" Resolved, That to every man who shall volunteer and be 
mustered in the United States service for the term of three 
years shall be paid, as a town bounty, the sum of $500." 
" Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed by the 
Chair to draw the money upon the order of the Supervisor 
to pay to those men who are drafted; and to every man 
that is drafted under this present call shall be paid, as a 
bounty from this town, the sum of $400." "Resolved, 
That every man who is liable to a draft, and not taxable, 
shall pay to the Committee appointed the sum of $25, 



60 BEST GENEALOGY 

on or before the 25 of August, 1864." " Resolved, That 
any person who shall enlist for one year, or two, shall 
receive the same as a drafted man, $400; and that the 
Supervisor in procuring men for the quota shall have the 
power to pay to all enlisted by him for one year the sum 
of $400." 

CLXXI 

171 TUNIS, son of (72) Jacob Best; m. Jan. 19, 1832, 
at Claverack, Lovina Doane, dau. of Ezra Doane, of Milan; 
b. May 11, 1813; d. Dec. 31, 1892. Issue: 

183 Frances E., b. Mch. 29, 1833; d. Mch. 1, 1885; 

m. Nelson Hallenbeck, at Johnstown, by 
Rev. Duzenberry. No issue. 

184 Edward Alexander, b. May 5, 1834; m. 

Elizabeth Sharp. 

185 Ezra D., b. May 18, 1836; single. 

186 Jane M., b. June 16, 1839; d. Mch. 24, 1898; m. 

Horatio E. Moore. 

187 Lavina T., b. Dec. 19, 1844; m. Charles Miller. 

188 Arthur A., b. June 10, 1851; d. July 29, 1871. 

Single. 

Tunis Best resided in the town of Livingston. 

CLXXII 

172 ELIZA, daughter of (72) Jacob Best; m. Dec. 
30, 1824, Daniel Sherwood, and had: 

189 Walter, b. Dec. 3, 1825; d. Oct. 11, 1829. 

190 Emily, b. Mch. 12, 1828; d. Aug. 31, 1859; m. 

Esek Smith. No issue. 

191 Sterling, b. Jan. 26, 1830; d. June 13, 1839. 

192 Harmon B., b. Mch. 10, 1832; m. Charity 

Sherwood. No issue. Resides Milan. 



BEST GENEALOGY 61 

193 Ellen, b. Apr. 19, 1834; m. Walter Herrick, 

M.D. 

194 Harriet Eliza, b. May 22, 1836; m. Morgan 

Lamoree. No issue. Resides Stattsburgh, 
N. Y. 

195 Ruth A., b. July 24, 1838; m. Martin L. Kilmer. 

No issue. Resides Jackson Corners, N. Y. 

196 Mary L., b. Sept. 3, 1841; d. Apr. 7, i860. 

Single. 

197 Daniel S., b. Mch. 24, 1844; d. June 11, 1899; 

m. (209) Harriet Best, daughter of (176) 
John M. Best. 

Daniel Sherwood resided at Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., 

N.Y. 

CLXXIV 

174 MARY, daughter of (72) Jacob Best; m. 
Carlostin Sanford Smith. Both buried at Gallatin ville. 
Issue : 

198 Mary C, b. ; single. 

199 Helen I., b. ; single. 

200 Alexander J., b. ; single. 

201 Thomas I., b. ; single. 

202 Anna E., b. ; m. William A. Chapman. 

Carlostin S. Smith enlisted, at Clermont, Nov. 12, 1862, 
Co. I., 159th Regt. Resided at Gallatin ville, N. Y. 

ecu 

202 ANNA E., daughter of (174) Mary Smith; m. Apr. 
15, 1863, William A. Chapman. Issue: 

203 Florence M., b. 

204 Annette, b. 

205 Mary L., b. ; m. George B. Powell. 



62 BEST GENEALOGY 

William A. Chapman enlisted, at Stockport, Oct. 
1862, Co. G., 90th Regt. Served until the close of the war. 

CCV 

205 MARY L., daughter of (202) Anna E. Chapman; 
m., 189 , George B. Powell, and had: 

206 Wayne Chapman, b. 

CLXXVI 

176 JOHN M., son of (72) Jacob Best; m., 1st, 
1839, at Churchtown, Harriet Tanner. She d. Nov. 4, 
1844. Issue: 

207 Julia, b. Apl. 29, 1841; d. Nov. 2, 1896. J " 

208 Josephine, b. 1842; d. 1844. 

209 Harriet, b. Oct. 20, 1844; d. Dec. 12, 1886; 

m. (197) Daniel S. Sherwood. 

M. 2nd, Feb. 12, 1846, Caroline Vosburgh. She was 
b. Nov. 13, 1821; d. June 16, 1881. Issue: 

210 Fred. M., b. Sept. 3, 1847; m - at Livingston, 

Mch. 4, 1879, Elizabeth Anna Dawson, b., 
at Springfield, Ohio, May 30, 1853. Resides 
Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y. No issue. 

211 Mary E., b. Apr. 13, 1857; d. Feb. 13, 1858. 

212 George E., b. Apr. 10, 1861; m., at Brockport, 

Monroe Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1883, Cora E. 
Benedict. Resides Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y. 
No issue. 

John M. Best, after his marriage to Harriet Tanner, 
removed from Milan, Dutchess Co., to a farm situated 
about one mile north of Johnstown, in Columbia Co., where 
he resided five years. After the death of his first wife, 
and remarriage, he removed to Barre, Orleans Co., N. Y., 



BEST GENEALOGY 63 

and purchased the farm he occupied at the time of his 
death. 

CCIX 

209 HARRIET, daughter of (176) John M. Best; m. 
Oct. 20, 1875, (197) Daniel S. Sherwood. Resides Pine 
Plains, N. Y. Issue: 

213 Fred. A., b. Aug. 26, 1877; m. Lena May- 

Stickles. 

214 Christina Ruth, b. May 3, 1886. 

CCXIII 

213 FRED. A., son of (209) Harriet Sherwood; m. 
Oct. 12, 1898, Lena May Stickles, daughter of Henry H. 
Stickles and Helena Weaver, of Jackson Corners, N. Y. 
Issue : 

215 Henry Daniel, b. June 9, 1900. 
Fred. A. Sherwood resides Pine Plains, N. Y. 

CXCIII 

193 ELLEN, daughter of (172) Eliza Sherwood; m. 
Walter Herrick, M.D., of Rhinebeck, N. Y., and had: 

216 
217 

CLXXVIII 

178 REUBEN, son of (72) Jacob Best; m. at Presby- 
terian Church, Pine Plains, 184 , Sylvina Booth. 
Issue : 

218 Albert, b. Oct. 22, 1843; d. Apr. 21, 1900; m. 
Estelle Starr. 



64 BEST GENEALOGY 

219 Harriet B., b. Aug. 25, 1844; m. John Piester. 

220 Leonard H., b. July 18, 1847; m. Mary Whit- 

comb. 

221 Josephine, b. Oct. 5, 184 ; d. 186 . 

Single. 

Reuben Best resided at Pine Plains, N. Y. 

CCXVIII 

218 ALBERT, son of (178) Reuben Best; m. Feb. 21, 
1866, Estelle Starr, and had: 

222 Bertha, b. Mch. 1, 1867; m. Samuel McCon- 

nell. 

223 Clara, b. Oct. 3, 1868. Single. 

224 Albert Starr, b. Apr. 25, 1870; m. Apr. 18, 

1895, Marjorie Ayres. Resides No. 10 East 
130th St., N. Y. City. No issue. 

225 Ralph Westervelt, b. Apr. 6, 1873. 

226 Hattie Estelle, b. Aug. 8, 1876; d. June 11, 



The New York Herald, of April 27,, 1900, contained the 
following account of the death of Albert Best, which oc- 
curred April 21 inst.: "Albert Best, senior member of the 
firm of Best & Co., of West Twenty-third Street, died 
suddenly of heart disease Saturday afternoon in Mount 
Vernon while on a bicycle trip through Westchester County 
with friends. 

" He was a great lover of the wheel and when the weather 
and business cares would permit used to leave his home, 
No. 15 West 121st Street, and take a spin on his bicycle 
through the Park and along the roads in the upper part 
of the city. 

" He invited several friends to go with him after lunch 
Saturday on a trip through the lower end of Westchester 



BEST GENEALOGY 65 

County. He planned to stop at the house of a friend in 
Mount Vernon and then return home. 

" He rode with his accustomed vigor until the party ap- 
proached Mount Vernon, when he began to experience 
pains in his stomach. He spoke to several members of the 
party about it. 

" When they reached Mount Vernon the pain had 
become acute and he got off the bicycle. His face grew 
pale and his companions took him to the home of a 
friend, where in spite of medical skill he expired in 
three hours. 

" Albert Starr Best and Ralph Westervelt Best, sons of 
Mr. Best, are members of the Seventh Regiment, and were 
at Croton with the Regiment. They were immediately 
notified of the death of their father and returned to the 
city yesterday on a leave of absence. 

" The death of Mr. Best removes from the world a phi- 
lanthropist whose charities, covering all creeds and races, 
will never be adequately known. He was born in October, 
1843, at Pine Plains. When sixteen years old he came to 
the city and entered the employ of A. T. Stewart as a clerk, 
remaining there five years. When he was twenty-one 
years old he went to Newark, N. J., and entered business 
for himself, opening a drygoods store, which he continued 
for eighteen years with much success. Then he moved 
to Buffalo, N. Y., where he conducted a furniture store 
four years. Then he came to this city and started with 
a store in Sixth Avenue, between Twenty-second and 
Twenty-third Streets. Ten years ago, the business having 
grown to large proportions, the firm went to its present 
location, in Twenty-third Street. 

" Three daughters, two sons and a widow survive him. 
The latter was Miss Estelle Starr, daughter of John Starr, 
a merchant. Mr. Best was a member of the Harlem 
Club, Aldine Club, and Second Collegiate Reformed Church 
of Harlem." 



66 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCXXII 

222 BERTHA, daughter of (218) Albert Best; m. 
Jan. 17, 1884, Samuel McConnell, and had: 

227 Donald, b. Nov., 1889; d. Apr., 1900. 

228 Albert Best, b. Apr. 17, 1896. 

CCXIX 

219 LEONARD H., son of (178) Reuben Best; m. 
Sept., 1872, Mary Whitcomb. Resides East Orange, N. J. 
Issue : 

229 Ida Annette, b. Nov. 1, 1873. 

Leonard H. Best is a manufacturer. Factory, No. 
144-150 Orange St., Cor. High St., Newark, N. J. Office, 
No. 17 East 46th St., N. Y. City. 

ccxx 

220 HARRIET B., daughter of (178) Reuben Best; 
m. Feb. 18, 1869, John Piester, b. Sept. 5, 1840; d. May 
22, 1872. Resides No. 14 East 125th St., N. Y. City. 
Issue : 

230 Lizzie B., b. Feb. 24, 1870. 

CLXXXII 

182 MARGARET ANN, daughter of (72) Jacob Best; 
m. Nov. 12, 1851, Lyman Morehouse, b. Mch. 6, 1820; 
d. Apr. 20, 1876. Issue: 

231 Cyrus F., b. Aug. 6, 1858; m. Florence Story. 

No issue. Resides Rock City, Dutchess Co., 
N. Y. Was Supervisor, 1900. 



BEST GENEALOGY 67 

CLXXXIV 

184 EDWARD ALEXANDER, son of (171) Tunis 
Best; m. Jan. 29, 1863, Elizabeth Sharp, daughter of John 
Sharp, of Claverack; b. June 21, 1835. Issue: 

232 Frank, b. Dec. 29, 1863; m. Ettie Miller. 

233 Bertha, b. Aug. 20, 1875; d. Dec. 21, 1876. 

Edward A. Best resides in the southern part of the town 
of Claverack; is a leading agriculturist; and has been a 
member of the town Board of Assessors, and a school 
trustee. 

CCXXXII 

232 FRANK, son of (184) Edward A. Best; m. June 
10, 1886, Ettie Miller, of Humphreyville, and had: 

234 Archland, b. Oct. 21, 1887. 

235 Edward A., b. Mch. 23, 1889. 

CLXXXVI 

186 JANE M., daughter of (171) Tunis Best; m. Oct. 
25, 1850, Horatio E. Moore, b. Aug. 25, 1831; d. Mch. 24, 
1898, and had: 

236 Herbert W., b. Jan. 15, 1864; m. June 3, 1889, 

lone Buss, daughter of Frederick W. Buss, 
of Stockport; b. Apr. 23, 1869. No issue. 
Resides Waterbury, Conn. 

237 Charles H., b. May 5, 1868; d. July 20, 1889. 

Single. 

CLXXXVII 

187 LAVINA T., daughter of (171) Tunis Best; m. 
Dec. 31, 1874, Charles Miller, b. Dec. 15, 1848, and had: 



68 BEST GENEALOGY 

238 Margaret Best, b. Sept. 18, 1877. 

239 John Clarence, b. Aug. 5, 1879. 

240 Frances L., b. Jan. 6, 1882. 

241 Dora May, b. Apr. 24, 1886; d. Oct. 10, 1888. 

Charles Miller resided at Livingston, Dutchess Co., 

N. Y. 

LXXV 

75 JOHN J., son of (49) Johannes Best; m. Jan. 26, 
1800, at Stuyvesant, by Rev. Romeyn, Margaret (Mary) 
Lape; b. Dec. 10, 1779; d. Mch. 20, 1868, aged 89 years. 
She was a daughter of Thomas Lape and Maria Potts. 
Issue : 

242 Eve, b. Mch. 21,; bp. Apr. 26, 1801; m. Jacob 

Tiel Ham; d. Apr. 10, 1869. Buried Stuy- 
vesant Landing. 

243 Thomas, b. June 20, 1803; m. (315) Elizabeth 

Rossman; d. June 29, 1883. Buried Church- 
town. 

244 John Lounard, b. Dec. 31, 1805; m. Maria 

Williams; d. at Schodack, Dec. 21, 1829. 
Buried Johnstown. 

245 Catherine, b. Mch. 25; bp., at Claverack, May 

1, 1808; m. Robert Nicholas Van Deusen; 
d. Dec. 1, 1876. Buried Stuyvesant Landing. 

246 Henry Allan, b. Dec. 20, 1810; bp., at Johns- 

town; m. Elizabeth P. Cutter; d. Nov. 1, 1884, 
aged 73 years. Buried Stuyvesant Landing. 
246A Mary, b. Nov. 4; bp., at Churchtown, Nov. 28, 
1813; m., 1st, Milton Peters; m., 2nd, Peter 
J. Hotaling; d. Dec. 4, 1878. Buried Stuy- 
vesant Landing. 

247 William, b. May 2, 1816; m. Emeline Miller; d. 

May 14, 1873. 



BEST GENEALOGY 69 

248 Peter, b. Sept. 30, 1819; m. Harriet Rocke- 

feller; d. May 7, 1884. Buried Claverack. 

249 Jacob, b. Feb. 3, 1823; m. Gertrude Nevius. 

He was living 1894. 

John J. Best was Elder of the Reformed Dutch Church 
at Stuyvesant Landing, Dec. 10, 1830. In the Minutes 
of the Consistory of this church we notice that John J. 
Best is mentioned as the husband of Mary Best, which was 
probably her name, and, hence, has been placed in paren- 
theses. It is hardly possible that two brothers should 
each marry a Margaret Lape. It is more likely that an 
error has been made in the Lape Genealogy. Thomas 
Lape had a daughter Mary; and I believe that it was Mary, 
not Margaret, who married John J. Best. Assuming that 
the former name is correct, the dates of her birth and 
death should be otherwise than as stated. 

LXXVI 

76 CATHERINE, daughter of (49) Johannes Best; 
m., 1st, Jan. 15, 1796, at Claverack, Teunis Becker. He 
d. Sept. 18, 1808. Issue: 

250 Margaret, b. May 2; bp. June 25, 1797. Spons., 

John Best, Margaret Mesick; m. William 
Reynolds. 

251 Christina Maria, b. Dec. 28, 1798; m. Jacob 

Shultus; d. Dec. 5, 1883. 

252 Peter, b. Aug. 14, 1801; m. Harriet Acly; d. 

July 21, 1887. 

253 Catherine, b. Nov. 15, 1803; m. Abraham Van 
/ Hoevenburg; d. Mch. 18, 1848. 

254 Mary, b. Jan. 23, 1806; d. Oct. 1, 1807. 

M., 2nd, Robert Ames. Issue: 

255 Cheney, b. Apr. 19, i8to; m. Jane Cole; d. 

Sept. 12, 1865. 



70 BEST GENEALOGY 

256 Malinda, b. Jan. 18, 181 2; m. John Hogle. 

257 Matilda, b. Mch. 3, 1815; d. July 26, 1844. 

Single. 

258 Alida, b. Jan. 9, 1818; m. Stephen Varley; d. 

May 23, 1890. 

259 Norman C, b. May 12, 1820; m. Catherine Moore. 

LXXVII 

77 PETER I., son of (49) Johannes Best; m. at Clav- 
erack, Maria Becker, b. 1783; d. Nov. 17, 1864. Issue: 

260 Mary, b. Nov. 12, 1801; m. John Dakin; d. 

Feb. 27, 1838. 

261 Christina, b. Dec. 9, 1802; bp. Jan. 16, 1803; 

d. Aug. 7, 1 860. Single. 

262 John Mesick, b. Sept. 25; bp. Nov. 23, 1806; 

m. Alida Vosburgh; d. Jan. 21, 1857. 

263 Ephraim Peter, b. Feb. 4; bp. Mch. 13, 1810; 

m. Sophia Vosburgh; d. Feb. 9, 1884. 

LXXVIII 

78 HENRY J., son of (49) Johannes Best; m. at 
Claverack, Sept. 4, 1803, Maria (Polly) Finger, b. Mch. 
1, 1782; d. Mch. 19, 1837, and had the following: 

264 Margaret, b. May 12, 1807; d. Sept. 8, 1827. 

Single. 

265 Harmon, b. Dec. 22, 1808; d. Aug. 10, 1874; m. 

Sarah E. Groat. 

266 John, b. Nov. 1, 1810; d. July 3, 1896; m. Ann 

Maria Cooper. 

267 Sarah M., b. Feb. 25, 181 2; m. John C. Karner; 

d. Oct. 3, 1884. 

268 Eleanor C, b. Dec. 15, 1815; m. Philip J. 

Lown; d. July 18, 1884. 



BEST GENEALOGY 71 

269 Jacob H., b. Nov. 12, 1822. Living (1900). 

M., 1st, Elizabeth Kimball; m., 2nd, Catherine 
Snyder; m., 3rd, Frances Amanda Reid. 

Henry J. Best resided at Best, in Rensselaer County, 
which place was named after him. 

LXXX 

80 EPHRAIM, son of (49) Johannes Best; m. at 
Claverack, Feb. 5, 1809, (153) Mary Best, daughter of (67) 
Johannes J. Best and Christina Ham, and had: 

270 Margaret Christina, b. Jan. 25, 181 r; m. 

Edward I. Eno; d. Oct., 1885. 

271 Eli, b. Dec. 17, 1812; m. Catherine Harder; 

d. Nov. 19, 1869. 

272 James, b. Mch. 1, 1815; m. Mary A. Chubb; d. 

Jan., 1870. 

273 Jared, b. Sept. 13, 1817; m. Malinda H. Paul; 

d. 190?. 

274 Richard, b. Oct. 23, 1819; m. Eliza Wright; 

d. 

275 John Eli, b. Feb. 19, 1822; m. Maria H. Cook; 

d. 

276 Sarah Ann, b. June 5, 1824; d. Mch. 18, 1895. 

Single. 

277 Ephraim, b. Nov. 17, 1826; d. Sept. 1851. 

Single. 

278 Mary, b. May 14, 1829. Single. 

279 Ambrose Spencer, b. July 27, 1833; m. Amelia 

A. Reed. 

Ephraim Best resided in the vicinity of Johnstown. 
From the Minutes of the Consistory of the Linlithgo Church 
we learn that he was elected Deacon of this church, Aug., 
1810, and Elder, May, 181 2. At a Consistory meeting of 



72 BEST GENEALOGY 

this church, Sept. n, 1811, at which were present Nicholas 
Van Deusen, Elder, and (80) Ephraim Best and (84) J ere- 
miah Best, Deacons, it was resolved to dedicate the new 
church "on the first Sabbath in November." He also 
held other offices in the church. 

LXXXI 

81 DAVID, son of (49) Johannes Best; m., at Church- 
town, Margaret Lape, b. Dec. 8, 1792; d. Aug. 14, 1856. 
Both buried at Kinder hook. Issue: 

280 Catherine Eliza, b. May 20; bp. June 16, 181 1; 

m. John B. Reynolds; d. Oct. 28, 1866. 

281 John Jacob, b. Sept. 26, 1814; d. Dec. 20, 1814. 

282 Jacob L., b. July 25; bp. Sept. 17, 1815; m. 

Emma Angell; d. June 6, 1901. 

283 Margaret M., b. Nov. 7, 1817; bp. Feb. 15, 

1818; m. Henry A. Hoysradt; d. Aug. 11, 1853. 

284 Jarius, b. Jan. 4; bp. Feb. n, 1821; d. Dec. 13, 

1863. 

285 David, b. Nov. 9, 1823; bp. Jan. 8, 1824; m. 

Ellen Fitzgerald. 

286 Lydia Maria, b. Nov. 18, 1826; m. 1870, 

Ward Schermerhorn ; d. Jan. 2, 1874. He 
d. Feb. 13, 1874. No issue. 

(287 Edmond, b. May 15, 1830; d. Oct. 20, 1855. 
Single. 
288 Ellen, b. May 15, 1830; d. Nov. 18, 1839. 
289 William Cushing, b. Oct. 10, 1833; m. Caroline 
Niver. 

LXXXII 

82 ABRAHAM, son of (49) Johannes Best; m. Apr. 
10, 1 814, at Claverack, by Rev. Richard Sluyter, Harriet 
Van Deusen, " Arianje V. D., 10 den April 1814 Zyn 



BEST GENEALOGY 73 

Getrouwt, " b. June 17, 1791; d. Nov. 24, 1859. Both 
bur. at Claverack. Issue: 

290 Christina, b. Oct. 11; bp. Nov. 20, 1814; m. 

Richard T. Esmond. 

291 Margaret, b. Mch. 25, 1817 ; m. William Bigelow; 

d. Oct. 16, 1897. 

292 Cornelia Caroline, b. Mch. 27, 1819; m. 

Lewis De Groff. 

293 John Jeremiah, b. July 20, 1821; m. (805) 

Martha M. Dakin; d. Nov. 1, 1896. 

294 Abraham, b. Sept. 15, 1823; m. Sarah Staats. 

295 Henry Mesick, b. Nov. 3, 1825; m. Sylvia 

Brock way. 

296 Robert, b. May 26, 1828; m. Oct. 29, 1856, 

Alida Vischer; d. Oct. 11, 1894. No issue. 
Widow resides Vischer Ferry, N. Y. 

297 Sarah Catherine, b. July 10, 1832; m. John 

Fellows. 

LXXXIII 

83 SARAH, daughter of (49) Johannes Best; m. Dec. 
8, 1816, at Claverack, by Rev. Gebbard, William Murray, 
b. Feb. 28, 1783; d. Feb. 28, i860. Both buried at Hills- 
dale. Issue : 

298 John B., b. May 5, 1817; d. Aug. 2, 1827. 

299 Martha, b. Nov. 18, 1818; d. Dec. 29, 1818. 

300 William, b. Feb. 13, 1820; d. Nov. 23, 1824. 

301 Henry W., b. Nov. 29, 1821; m. Julia Weed; d. 

Sept. 20, 1873. 

302 Margaret M., b. Nov. 23, 1823; m. George 

Haywood. 

303 Martha M., b. Nov. 28, 1825; m. Isaac B. 

Rogers; d. Jan. 4, 1866. 

304 Jacob B., b. Dec. 17, 1827; m. Martha Wheeler; 

d. Aug. 24, 1880. 



74 BEST GENEALOGY 

305 Sarah E., b. Oct. 25, 1829. Single. 

306 William, b. Sept. 22, 1831; m. Julia Dorr. 

307 Mary, b. Apr. 28, 1835. Single. 






William Murray was a prosperous merchant in the 
village of Copake, and one of its earliest settlers. In 1824, 
he was the first Supervisor of the town of Copake, when 
it was set off as a separate town; Supervisor, again, 1829-36; 
and Town Clerk of Taghkanick, 1821. 

LXXXIV 

84 JEREMIAH J., son of (49) Johannes Best; m. 
1 81 9, Phebe Kipp, daughter of Peter and Sarah 
Kipp, b. Jan. 1, 1800; d. Mch. 25, 1879. Both buried at 
Mechanicville, N. Y. Issue: 

308 Peter Kipp, b. Aug. 28, 1821; bp. Feb. 3, 1822; 

m. Jane Esselstyn; d. Feb. 17, 1878. 

309 Sarah Ann, b. Aug. 16; bp. Oct. 18, 1823; m. 

David P. Daniels; d. Nov. 4, 1896. 

310 Tristum Coffin, b. Oct. 18; bp. Dec. 13, 1824; 

d. July 2i, 1825. 

311 Delia Eliza, b. Apr. 1; bp. June 20, 1826; m. 

Levi Dakin. 

312 Tristram Coffin, b. Dec. 27, 1829; bp. Feb. 

22, 1830; m., 1st, Harriet Lamb; m., 2nd, 
Elizabeth Lamb; d. Apr. 20, 1890. 

313 Mary Jane, b. Feb. 28; bp. June 12, 1834; m. 

John M. Whitman. 

314 Amanda Eveline, b. Dec. 20, 1835; d. Mch. 6, 

1836. 

CL 

150 MARGARITTA, daughter of (67) Johannes J. 
Best; m. at Claverack, by Rev. Gebbard, June 13, 1802, 



BEST GENEALOGY 75 

Peter I. Rossman, b. Mch. i, 1781. Both buried at Church- 
town. Issue: 

315 Elizabeth, b. May 17, 1805; m. (243) Thomas 

Best; d. July 19, 1845. 

316 Sally Ann, b. 1806; d. Jan. 14, 1845. 

Single. 

317 John P., b. ; m. Sally Post; d. 

318 Christina Maria, b. ; m. Charles W. 

Hallis; d. 1852. 

319 Julia, b. Aug. 8; bp. Sept. 15, 181 1, at Church- 

town; m. John Rossman; d. June 4, 1854. 

320 Jane Belinda, b. Sept. 8; bp. at Churchtown, 

Oct. 1, 181 5; d. . Single. 

321 Nelson, b. July 12; bp., at Churchtown, Aug. 

9, 1818; m. Sarah Ann Hakes; d. Feb. 2, 1854. 



CLI 



151 JOHANNES, son of (67) Johannes J. Best; m. 
Jan. 24, 1 82 1, Elizabeth (Betsey) Sudam, b. Apr. 17, 1805; 
d. Mch. 9, 1878, and had: 

322 Anna Christina, b. Dec. 25, 1821; m. Robert 

Humphrey; d. June 27, 1843. 

323 Jane Frances, b. Dec. 6, 1824; m. William 

J. Miller. 

324 Charles Sudam, b. Aug. 17, 1828; m. (370) 

Louisa Rossman, daughter of (317) John P. 
Rossman and Sally Post; m., 2nd, Mary Link. 

325 Sarah Elizabeth, b. Aug. 15, 1831; m. Feb. 

26, 1849, Edward Miller; d. June 6, 1849. 

326 John Byron, b. Mch. 18, 1836. Single. 

327 Mary Catherine, b. Sept. 19, 1839; m. Jan. 

17, 1 861, J. J. Kipp. No issue; d. Dec. 
17, 1890. 



76 BEST GENEALOGY 

Johannes Best, or John J. Best, as he was more famil- 
iarly known, was a resident of the town of Taghkanick, and 
lived on the farm occupied by his father at the time of his 
death. He was an attendant of the Johnstown Dutch 
Church, and a pewholder, May n, 1834. On Mch. 30, 
1838, Elder John J. Best was appointed a "delegate to 
Classis, at ordinary session, to be held at Mt. Pleasant on 
last Tuesday of Apr. Next." As Elder he was also appointed 
delegate to attend the semi-annual meeting of the Classis 
of Poughkeepsie, "on the last Teusday of the month" 
(Oct. 2i, 1839). 

CLII 

152 JEREMIAH, son of (67) Johannes J. Best; m. at 
Claverack, July 3, 1808, Margaret Miller, of Claverack, b. 
June 1, 1789; d. Dec. 14, 1873, i n ner 85th year. Issue: 

328 John Abraham, b. Nov. 1; bp. Dec. 16, 1809; d. 

July 4, 1854. 

329 Elizabeth, b. April 18, 1811 ; m. John H. Smith; 

d. Jan., 1896. 

330 Christiana, b. Mch. 3, 1813; d. May 21, 1894; 

m. Samuel Bachman. 

331 Stephen E., b. July 23, 1815; d. Sept. 26, 1898. 

Single. 

332 Frederick M., b. Sept. 29, 1817; m. Margaret 

Dunspaugh; d. Dec. 12, 1892. 

333 Gertrude, b. Oct. 27, 1819; m. Baltus B. Van 

Slyke. 

334 Martin, b. Apr. 28, 1821; m. Louisa Traver; 

d. Nov. 8, 1877. 

335 Lucy, b. July 16, 1823; m. (584) Wilson Ham; 

d. June 15, 1872. 

336 Andrew K., b. Jan. 5, 1826; m. Emily Harrison; 

d. Sept., 1857. 

337 Margaret Jane, b. Dec. 29, 1828; m. Stephen 

H. Shutts; d. Oct. 13, 1883. 



BEST GENEALOGY 77 

Jeremiah Best took part in the War of 1812; was com- 
missioned Ensign, in the 15th Regt., April, 181 4. Of 
the military organizations existing in Columbia County 
prior to the War of 181 2, we obtain some idea from an old 
brigade order, signed by Joseph Lord, as Brigade-Major, 
and issued by command of Brig. -Gen. Samuel Ten Broeck, 
under date of Aug. 10, 1806, directing that a review and 
inspection of his brigade be held near the tavern of Jacob 
Moul, in Claverack, on the 2nd of September, in that year. 
The 15th Regiment, in which (152) Jeremiah Best was, 
afterwards, an Ensign, was one of the commands men- 
tioned in the order. The said brigade was still under the 
command of Gen. Ten Broeck at the opening of the war. 
Jeremiah Best was a resident of the town of Taghkanick, 
and a communicant of the Dutch Church at Johnstown. He 
was elected Deacon, Apr. 18, 1813; a delegate to the Classis 
at Hopeville, Sept. 26, 1835, as an Elder; chosen Treasurer 
of the church, in place of John Van Deusen, resigned, 
Apr. 8, 1837; Elder, again, 1837; delegate to Classis, at 
Poughkeepsie, April 8, 1837; Secundus to Claverack, Oct. 
12, 1846; delegate to Mellenville, in the same year. From 
the Minutes, we have the following: "Resolved that [152] 
Jeremiah Best and William Gardner be requested to act 
as a committee to collect funds to defray the expenses of 
the repairs of the church at Johnstown"; dated, May 4, 
1 83 1. On Sept. 3, 1830, Elder Robert I. Van Deusen was 
"appointed member of committee on Discipline," in place 
of (152) Jeremiah Best, whose term had expired. On 
Feb. 11, 1832, (152) Jeremiah Best and others "were 
appointed a Committee to sell a lot of land belonging to 
the church and to purchase another lot and to build a 
parsonage." Under date of Dec. 10, 1831, we find: "Re- 
solved that the Consistory make application to the Legis- 
lature of the State of New York, at the approaching 
session, for permission to sell the lot belonging to the Re- 
formed Dutch Church of Linkthgow [sic] for the purpose 



78 BEST GENEALOGY 

of purchasing a parsonage and in case the petition is 
granted that the consistory proceed to sell the same." 
(152) Jeremiah Best and another were appointed a com- 
mittee to draw up the request. On Aug. 20, 1836, we find 
him, again, on a " committee to carry into effect the re- 
pairing and making presentable the church." Three of 
his sons served in the Civil War. (331) Stephen E. enlisted 
at Hudson, Oct. 4, 1862, Co. I, 159th Regt. (334) Martin 
enlisted at Taghkanick, Co. G, same Regt. (33 2) Frederick 
M. enlisted at Taghkanick, at the same time, in same Co. 
and Regt. as his brother Martin. 

CLIV 

154 LENA, daughter of (67) Johannes J. Best; m. at 
Claverack, by Rev. Gebbard, Aug. 11, 1820, Michael 
Horton, son of Jacob and Grisella (Shutts) Horton, b. 
1794, in Claverack; d. 1873, in Clyde, N. Y. Issue: 

338 Jacob, b. Dec. 25, 1820; m. Desiah D. Duns- 
paugh; d. Oct. 10, 1900. 



339 


Christina, b. 


1822; m. 1840, Thatcher 




De Golyer; d. 


1845. No issue. 


340 


Wilson, b. 


1829; m. Cornelia A. Chace. 


34i 


Mary Jane, b. 


1834. Single. 


342 


John B., b. 


; m. Ellen R. Smith. 



Michael Horton resided at Clyde, N. Y., where he and 
his wife are buried. 

CLV 

155 ROBERT, son of (67) Johannes J. Best; m. at 
Claverack, Oct. 4, 1817, Anna Maria Hallenbeck, b. July 
24, 1 800; d. 1863. Resided at Livingston. Issue: 

343 Harmon, b. Dec. 22, 1818; m. Margaret Hicks. 

344 Milton, b. Apr. 3, 1820; m. Ann Melius. 



BEST GENEALOGY 79 

345 Mary Cornelia b. Oct. 27, 1821; m. Robert 

Rockefeller. 

346 Robert, b. Mch. 23, 1823. 

347 Walter, b. Mch. 25, 1826; m. Jane Elizabeth 

Sharp. 

348 Elizabeth Christina, b. Sept. 15, 1828; m. 

Edward A. Weaver. 

349 Henry Edgar, b. Apr. 26, 1831; m. Catherine 

Maria Smith. 

350 Anna Maria, b. Feb. 3, 1833; m. ( ) Henry- 

Best, son of ( ) Walter Best and Rhoda 
Smith. 

351 Margaret Miller, b. Mch. 5, 1836; m. Rens- 

selaer Rote. 

352 John Emmet, b. Mch. 27, 1838; m. Catherine A. 

Holsapple. 

353 Helen, b. Feb. 19, 1841 ; m. Robert Munkuttrick. 

354 Charles Monroe, b. Nov. 22, 1842; m. Charlotte 

Ann Kells. 

CLVI 

156 CATHERINE, daughter of (67) Johannes J. Best; 
m. John W. Clapper. Resided Clyde, Wayne Co., 

N. Y. Issue: 

355 George P., b. ; m. . Resides Wol- 

cott, N. Y. 

356 John William, b. Mch. 13; bp. Apr. 30, 1815. 

Spons., John J. Best, Christina Ham. 

357 Lovina, b. June 16; bp. July 6, 1817. Spons., 

Robert Best, Lena Best. 

358 Christina Maria, b. Aug. 12; bp. Oct. 3, 1819. 

Spons., Maria Clapper. 

359 Elizabeth Ann, b. Aug. 12; bp. Sept. 16, 1821. 

Spons., Parents. 



80 BEST GENEALOGY 

360 Peter Jacob, b. Feb. 11; bp. Mch. 28, 1824. 

Spons., Parents. 

361 Margaret, b. June 24; bp. Aug. 13, 1826. Spons., 

Parents. 

John W. Clapper resided at Clyde, where, and at Wolcott, 
most of his descendants may be found. 

cccxv 

315 ELIZABETH, daughter of (150) Margaritta Ross- 
man; m. (243) Thomas Best, son of (75) John J. Best, and 
Margaret (Mary) Lape, by Rev. E. Holmes, at Church- 
town, May 2i, 1829. Issue: 

362 Cordelia, b. May 2, 1831; d. Aug. 27, 1849. 

Single. Buried, Churchtown. 

363 John Franklin, b. Mch. 12; bp. Nov. 17, 1833; 

m. Jan. 19, i860, Mary Jane Decker. No 
issue. Resides Churchtown. Enlisted Aug. 
15, 1862, at Hudson, in 128th Regt., Co. G. 

364 Mary Christina, b. May 28, 1837; m. 

186?, Cornelius Bathrick; d. Nov. 15, 1871. 
Buried Churchtown. 

365 Edgar Allen, b. Apr. 25, 1840. Single. Re- 

sides Churchtown. 

366 Milton Peters, b. Nov. 19, 1842; m. 

Catherine Teats. No issue. Resides Ger- 
mantown. Enlisted at Hudson, Nov. 4, 
1862, in 12th Cal., Co. C. 
Thomas Best served as Supervisor 1845, 1848-49; High- 
way Commissioner. 

CCCLXIV 

364 MARY CHRISTINA, daughter of (315) Elizabeth 
Best; m. 186 , Cornelius Bathrick, b. Jan. 9, 1841. 

Issue : 

367 Byron, d. y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 81 

CCCXVII 

317 JOHN P., son of (150) Margaritta Rossman; m. 
by Rev. Richard Sluyter, Aug. 10, 1823, Sally Post, at 
Claverack. Issue : 

368 Gertrude, b. 

369 Charles, b. ; m. Becker. 

370 Louisa, b. ; m. (324) Charles Sudam 

Best, son of (151) Johannes Best and Eliza- 
beth Sudam; d. 185 . 

371 Elizabeth, b. ; m. Walter Decker. 

John P. Rossman served in the Civil War. Enlisted 
at Ancram, Sept. 8, 1863. 

CCCXVIII 

318 CHRISTINA MARIA, daughter of (150) Mar- 
garitta Rossman; m. Charles W. Hallis. Issue: 

372 Rossman, b. 1840. Single. 

373 Jane, b. Feb. 16, 1842. Single. 

374 Margaret Ann, b. Jan. 19, 1844; m. Norman 

Lewis Niver. 

CCCLXXIV 

374 MARGARET ANN, daughter of (318) Christina 
Maria Hallis; m. June 1, 1864, Norman Lewis Niver, b. 
Mch. 14, 1844. Issue: 

375 Florence Claudine, b. Oct. 27, 1867; d. Sept. 

9. i875- 

376 Berenice Hallis, b. June 6, 1873. 

Norman L. Niver resides at No. 779 Lexington Ave., 
N. Y. City. 



82 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCCXIX 

319 JULIA, daughter of (150) Margaritta Rossman; 
m. at Churchtown, 1840, John Rossman. He d. Mch. 29, 
1 90 1. Issue: 

377 Elliot, b. d. y. 

378 Sarah, b. Dec. 24, 1845. Resides N. Y. City. 

Single. 

379 Elithea, b. Dec. 13, 1847 ; m. Sydney Blakeman. 

CCCLXXIX 

379 ELITHEA, daughter of (319) Julia Rossman; m. 
Nov. 7, 1866, Sydney Blakeman, and had: 

380 May, b. Sept. 21, 1867; m. Elmer H. Havens. 

381 Eugene, b. June 11, 1869. Single. 

382 Jessamine, b. Dec. 3, 1878. 

Sydney Blakeman resides at No. 466 Western Ave., 
Albany, N. Y. 

CCCLXXX 

380 MAY, daughter of (379) Elithea Blakeman; m. 
Sept. 29, 1886, Elmer H. Havens, and had: 

383 Carry A., b. June 23, 1888. 

384 Elmer, b. Jan. 31, 1889. 

385 Sydney, b. Feb. 17, 1891. 

Elmer H. Havens resides Albany, N. Y. 
CCCXXI 

321 NELSON, son of (150) Margaritta Rossman; m. 
at Johnstown, Sept., 1836, Sarah Ann Hakes, b. July 11, 
1820, and had: 



BEST GENEALOGY 83 

386 Virginia Ann, b. d. y. 

387 Cornelia Jane, b. d. y. -_ 

388 Peter I., b. d. y. 

389 Eve Anna, b. Mch. 31, 1852; m. Frank C. 

Lockwood. 

390 Mary Emma, b. Jan. 1853; d. 1855. 

CCCLXXXIX 

389 EVE ANNA, daughter of (321) Nelson Rossman; 
m. June 19, 1878, Frank C. Lockwood, b. Apr. 4, 1851, 
and had: 

391 Frank Carlton, b. Mch. 13, 1882. 

392 Sarah Elizabeth, b. Nov. 26, 1883. 

CCCLXIX 

369 CHARLES, son of (317) John P. Rossman; m. 
Becker, and had: 

393 Charles, b. 

394 John, b. 

395 Margaret, b. 

CCCLXX 

370 LOUISA, daughter of (317) John P. Rossman; 
m. (324) Charles Sudam Best, son of (151) Johannes Best 
and Elizabeth Sudam, Dec. 28, 1848, and had.: 

396 John I., b. May 18, 1850; m. Elnora Cardin. 

397 Peter Franklin, b. May 16, 1854. Single. 

CCCXCVI 

396 JOHN I., son of (370) Louisa Best; m. Oct. 17, 
1877, Elnora Cardin, and had: 

398 Charles, b. Sept. 15, 1883. 

399 William, b. Oct. 30, 1886. 

400 Arthur, b. Aug. 9, 1893; d. Apr. 9, 1895. 



84 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCCLXXI 

371 ELIZABETH, daughter of (317) John P. Rossman; 
m. Walter Decker, and had: 

401 Allan, b. ; m. Rowe. Resides Red 

Hook, N. Y. 

402 Elmer, b. ; m. Harder. 

403 Lora, b. ; m. William Stickles. 

Walter Decker resided Livingston, N. Y. 
CCCCII 

402 ELMER, son of (371) Elizabeth Decker; m. 
Harder, and had: 

404 
4°S 
Elmer Decker resides Mellenville, N. Y. 

CCCCIII 

403 LORA, daughter of (371) Elizabeth Decker; m. 
William Stickles, and had: 

406 Grace, b. 

William Stickles resides Glenco, N. Y. 
CCCXXIII 

323 JANE FRANCES, daughter of (151) Johannes 
Best; m. Sept. 17, 1844, William J. Miller, son of Andries 
S. Miller, b. July 7, 1816; d. Apr. 11, 1900, and had: 

407 Katherine M., b. Oct. 1, 1847; m. Jan. 19, 

1887, Isaac N. Collier, son of Philip and 
Christina Collier, b. Oct. 19, 1834. Resides 
Hudson, N.'Y. 

408 Sarah, b. Nov. 30, 1849. 



BEST GENEALOGY 85 

William J. Miller was a prominent manufacturer, and, 
for many years, a member of the firm of Hunt and Miller, 
Stove Works, Hudson, N. Y. 

CCCXXII 

322 ANNA CHRISTINA, daughter of (151) Johannes 
Best; m. Dec. 20, 1838, Robert Humphrey, and had: 

409 John, b. Oct. 27, 1842; d. y. 

CCCXXIV 

324 CHARLES SUDAM, son of (151) Johannes Best; 
m , 1 st, (370) Louisa Rossman, daughter of (317) John 
P. Rossman (see under family No. 370); m., 2nd, June, 
1859, Mary Link, and had: 

410 William J., b. Nov. 10, i860; d. Oct. 5, 1868. 

411 Byron, b. Dec. 19, 1862; d. Jan. 20, 1863. 

Charles S. Best resides at No. 173 Remsen St., Cohoes, 
N. Y. 

CCCXXIX 

329 ELIZABETH, daughter of (152) Jeremiah Best; 
m. July 3, 1829, John H. Smith, and had: 

412 Leonard, b. 1835; m. Ann Knickerbocker; 

d. Jan. 10, 1901. 

413 Robert I., b. Aug. 4, 1836; m. Sarah L. Kells; 

d. July 12, 1886. 

414 Henry, b. Jan. 16, 1837; m. Christina Jennings; 

d. July 27, 1899. 

415 Martin, b. 1839. Single. 

416 Mary, b. 1841; m. George Palmer. 

417 Margaret, b. 1843; m. Cornelius Ham. 

418 Emma, b. 1845; m. Jasper Smith. 



86 BEST GENEALOGY 

419 Christina, b. 1847. Single. 

420 Edward, b. July 11, 1849; m. Ella Rowe. 

421 Stephen, b. Mch. 22, 1851; m. Jan. 9, 1878, Ann 

Maria Marshall, b. July 26, 1856. No issue. 
Resides No. 385 Madison Ave., Albany, N. Y. 

John H. Smith resided at West Taghkanic. Enlisted, 
at Greenport, Aug. 10, 1862, 128th Regt., Co. K. Died, 
May, 1863, at Salisbury Prison, of starvation. His son, 
(415) Martin, enlisted, at Claverack, Aug. 13, 1862, 128th 
Regt., Co. G; and was promoted to Sergeant for meritorious 
services. 

CCCCXII 

412 HENRY, son of (329) Elizabeth Smith; m. Feb. 
1 86 1, Christina Jennings, b. Aug. 7, 1841, and had: 

422 Emma, b. Jan. 6, 1863; m. Jan. 3, 1880, 

Moore. 

423 Curtis, b. Nov. 3, 1867; m. Emma Becker. 

424 Mary, b. Jan. 23, 1875. Single. 

Henry Smith enlisted at Ancram, in the 6th Cavalry, 
1862. 

CCCCXXII 

422 CURTIS, son of (412) Henry Smith; m. May 5, 
1897, Emma Becker, b. Aug. 17, 1873, and had: 

425 Laura, b. Sept. 27, 1898. 

Curtis Smith resides North Germantown, N. Y. 
CCCCXIII 

413 LEONARD, son of (329) Elizabeth Smith; m. 
Ann Knickerbocker, and had: 

426 Frank, b. Apr. 24, 1869. Single. 



BEST GENEALOGY 87 

Leonard Smith enlisted, Sept. 28, 1862, 159th Regt., 
Co. C. Resided at Hudson, N. Y. 

CCCCXIV 

414 ROBERT I., son of (329) Elizabeth Smith; m. 
Oct. 19, 1865, Sarah L. Kells, b. Feb. 25, 1832. Issue: 

427 Maud, b. Aug. 16, 1867; m. J. Willard Sluyter, 

Apr. 12, 1893. 

428 Arthur Eugene, b. June, 1870; d. July 29, 1871. 

429 Lena, b. May 19, 1872; m. William Redick. 

CCCCXXIX 

429 LENA, daughter of (414) Robert I. Smith; m. 
Mch. 26, 1896, William Redick, and had: 

430 Lawrence, b. Mch. 20, 1897. 

431 Robert Stanton, b. June, 1899. 

CCCCXVI 

416 MARY, daughter of (329) Elizabeth Smith; m. 
George Palmer. Issue.: 

432 George, b. 

George Palmer was Town Clerk of Hillsdale, 1855. Re- 
sided West Taghkanic, N. Y. 

CCCCXVI T 

417 MARGARET, daughter of (329) Elizabeth Smith; 
m. Cornelius Ham, son of Peter T. Ham and Mary 
(Wentworth) Ham. Issue: 

433 Emma, b. ; single. 

434 Elizabeth, b. ; m. Oct. 11, 1900, Alva 

Decker. 



88 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCCCXVIII 

418 EMMA, daughter of (329) Elizabeth Smith; m. 
Jasper Smith. Issue: 

435 Agnes, b. 

Jasper Smith resides West Taghkanic, N. Y. 

ccccxx 

420 EDWARD, son of (329) Elizabeth Smith; m. 
Sept. 29, 1875, Ella Rowe. Issue: 

436 Frederick M., b. Oct. 21, 1886. 

437 William Martin, b. Apr. 21, 1891. 

438 John Rowe, b. Feb. 12, 1893. 

Edward Smith resides Gallatinville, N. Y. 

cccxxx 

330 CHRISTIANA, daughter of (152) Jeremiah Best; 
m. Jan. 31, 1833, Samuel Bachman, b. Oct. 25, 1811; d- 
Feb. 4, 1876. Issue: 

439 Stephen, b. Feb. 14, 1834; m. Cornelia Bortle; 

d. May 7, 1863. 

440 Sarah Jane, b. Mch. 30, 1836; m. John V. D. 

Benton. 

441 Mary, b. Oct. 31, 1840; d. Jan. 22, 1894. Single. 

CCCCXXXIX 

439 STEPHEN, son of (330) Christiana Bachman; m. 
Feb. 16, 1857, Cornelia Bortle, b. Sept. 30, 1840, and had: 

442 Cora, b. Feb. 16, i860; d. Apr. 24, 1863. 

443 Jenny, b. Nov. 8, 1858. Single. 



BEST GENEALOGY 89 

ccccxxxx 

440 SARAH JANE, daughter of (330) Christiana 
Bachman; m. Apr. 19, 1859, John V. D. Benton, b. Sept. 
1, 1834; d. Aug. 7, 1888. Issue: 

444 Samuel Bachman, b. Mch. 24, i860; m. Anna 

Hogue. 

CCCCXLIV 

444 SAMUEL BACHMAN, son of (440) Sarah Jane 
Benton; m. Mch. 10, 1885, Anna Hogue, b. Feb. 23, 1860, 
and had: 

445 Cora A., b. Jan. 23, 1886. 
Samuel B. Benton resides Hudson, N. Y. 

CCCXXXII 

332 FREDERICK M., son of (152) Jeremiah Best; 
m. Dec. 3, 1838, Margaret Dunspaugh, b. Mch. 28, 1818, 
and had: 

446 Carry D. b. Mch. 24, 1841; m. Charles C. 

Lester; d. May 2, 1867. 

447 Alice G., b. Mch. 22, 1848; m. Oct. 7, 1869, 

Alonzo C. Waltermire, of N. Y. City, b. 
Nov. 7, 1845. Resides No. 2 East Court 
St., Hudson, N. Y. 

Frederick M. Best was Past Master of Hudson Lodge, 
No. 7, F. and A. M. Enlisted from Taghkanick, Sept. 19, 
1862, 159th Regt., Co. G. He was Postmaster at Johns- 
town for some time. 

CCCCXLVI 

446 CARRY D., daughter of (332) Frederick M. 
Best; m. Nov. 26, 1862, Charles C. Lester, b. 1838, 

by Rev. D. D. Demorset, and had: 



90 BEST GENEALOGY 

448 Fred B., b. Nov. 26, 1863. 

449 Frank H., b. Mch. 30, 1867. 

CCCXXXIII 

333 GERTRUDE, daughter of (152) Jeremiah Best; 
m. Jan. 5, 1843, Baltus P. Van Slyke, b. Aug. 20, 181 5, 
d. Mch. 29, 1899, and had: 

450 Edgar J., b. Aug. 15, 1845; m. Anna M. Scher- 

merhorn. 

451 Charles B., b. Jan. 14; bp. Jan. 21, 1856; m. 

Alice Colgrove. 

Baltus P. Van Slyke and wife are buried at Stuyvesant 
Landing. He was Postmaster there at one time. Cor- 
oner 1868-70. 

CCCCL 

450 EDGAR J., son of (333) Gertrude Van Slyke; m. 
Dec. 24, 1873, Anna M. Schermerhorn, b. Oct. 5, 1851, and 
had: 

452 Frederick E., b. Jan. 29, 1877. 

453 Charles C, b. Oct. 5, 1879. 

454 Ralph S., b. Aug. 29, 1898. 

Edgar J. Van Slyke resides No. 12 Leonard Place, 
Albany, N. Y. 

CCCCLI 

451 CHARLES B., son of (333) Gertrude Van Slyke; 
m. Dec. 3, 1870, Alice Colgrove, b. June 11, 1858, and had: 

455 Arthur, b. Jan. 18, 1874. 

Charles B. Van Slyke resides Coxsackie, N. Y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 91 

CCCXXXIV 

334 MARTIN, son of (152) Jeremiah Best; m. Jan. 4, 
1844, Louisa Traver, b. July 30, 1827; d. Mch. 9, 1895. 
Issue : 

456 Frances C, b. Apr. 18, 1848; m. William H. 

Coons. 

457 Elizabeth, b. July 1, 1850; m. Norman Duntz. 

458 Andrew, b. Aug. 28, 1857; m. 1st Carry Barton; 

m. 2nd., Carry Sitzer. 

459 Althea, b. Feb. 12, i860; m. 1st, Wilson Hobby; 

m. 2nd, Stephen M. Kipp. 

460 Imogene, b. Apr. 5, 1869; m. Nov. 10, 1897, 

Gilbert Caire, b. Jan. 7, 1862. Resides No. 
12 Bellevue Ave., Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

461 Carry, b. Dec. 23, 1872; m. William Caldwell. 

Martin Best resided in the town of Taghkanick; Collector 
of Taxes, 1861; enlisted, at Taghkanick, Sept. 19, 1862, 
159th Regt., Co. G; elected Justice of the Peace, 1874. 

CCCCLVI 

456 FRANCES C, daughter of (334) Martin Best; 
m. Apr. 15, 1868, William H. Coons, b. Aug. 7, 1842. 
Issue : 

462 Emmet, b. June 16, 1869; m. Alice B. Lasher. 

463 Grace, b. Oct. 1, 187 1; m. Victor Cole. 

464 Minnie, b. Feb. 7, 1874; m. Hudson T. Crapser. 

465 Elma, b. Sept. 10, 1878; m. Charles Carle, Nov. 

6, 1900. Resides West Taghkanick. 

466 Lillie, b. May 19, 1876; m. Addison Duntz. 

467 Royal, b. Sept. 27, 1880. 

468 Edna, b. Oct. 24, 1883. 

469 Lizzie, b. July 12, 1888. 



92 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCCCLXII 

462 EMMET, son of (456) Frances C. Coons; m. July 
12, 1893, Alice B. Lasher, b. Apr. 24, 1871, and had: 

470 Blanche, b. Oct. 20, 1894. 

471 Richard M., b. Oct. 26, 1896. 

472 Mildred L., b. Oct. 19, 1899. 

Emmet Coons resides Pine Plains, N. Y. 
CCCCLXIII 

463 GRACE, daughter of (456) Frances C. Coons; m. 
Apr. 12, 1899, Victor Cole. Issue: 

473 Myrtle, b. Apr. 10, 1896. 

474 Gertrude, b. Nov., 1899. 

CCCCLXIV 

464 MINNIE, daughter of (456) Frances C. Coons; m. 
Feb. 22, 1894, Hudson T. Crapser, and had: 

475 Iva May, b. Sept. 8, 1894. 

476 Gladys Ethel, b. Feb. 8, 1900. 

Hudson T. Crapser resides Elmhurst, L. I., N. Y. 
CCCCLXVI 

466 LILLIE, daughter of (456) Frances C. Coons; m. 
Oct. 4, 1899, Addison Duntz. Issue: 

477 Ethel May, b. Oct. 10, 1900. 
Addison Duntz resides Hudson, N. Y. 

CCCCLVII 

457 ELIZABETH, daughter of (334) Martin Best; m. 
Feb. 6, 1868, Norman Duntz, b. May 1, 1845; d. Oct. 20, 
1886. Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 93 

478 Lewis, b. Sept. 14, 1868. 

479 Melvin, b. Sept. 4, 1872. 

480 Cora, b. July 18, 1878. 

481 Fred, b. June 4, 1880. 

482 Mary E., b. June 19, 1882. 

Norman Duntz resided at No. 253 Hanover St., Bridg- 
port, Conn. 

CDLVIII 

458 ANDREW, son of (334) Martin Best; m. 1st, 
July 9, 1879, Carry Barton. She d. Sept. 14, 1895. Issue: 

483 Frederick, b. Apr. 23, 1880; m. 2nd, Nov. 

3, 1896, Carry Sitzer. 

Andrew Best resides Pokeepsie, N. Y. 
CDLIX 

459 ALTHEA, daughter of (334) Martin Best; m. 1st, 
Jan. 1, 1879, Wilson Hobby, b. 1859; d. Apr. 2, 
1891, and had: 

484 Lulu, b. Dec. 15, 1879; m. Apr. 30, 1899, Harry 

Olmstead. Resides Pawling, N. Y. 

485 Andrew, b. Jan. 11, 1882. 

m. 2nd, Sept. 5, 1899, Stephen M. Kipp 

Wilson Hobby resided at No. 134 Church St., Poughkeep- 
sie, N. Y. 

CDLXI 

461 CARRY, daughter of (334) Martin Best; m. Oct. 
7, 1891, William Coldwell, b. ; d. Mch. 9, 1898. 

Issue : 

486 Almeda, b. Dec. 26, 1894. 



94 BEST GENEALOGY 

William Coldwell resides No. 12 Bellevue Ave., Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. 

cccxxxv 

335 LUCY, daughter of (152) Jeremiah Best; m. 
Jan. 1 841, (644) Wilson Ham, son of Jacob Tiel 

Ham and (242) Eve Best, and had the following: 

487 Margaret C, b. Apr. 13, 1843; d. May 12, 1855. 

488 Eveanna, b. July 25, 1845; m - Samuel G. 

Rowles. 

489 Lucy M., b. Nov. 23, 1847; m. Thomas J. Lape; 

d. June 15, 1870. 

490 Herbert Wilson, b. Oct. 29, 1856. 

Wilson Ham was Town Clerk of Stuyvesant, 1855 ; 
Supervisor, 1857. 

CDLXXXVIII 

488 EVEANNA, daughter of (335) Lucy Ham; m. 
Mch. 9, 1869, Samuel G. Rowles, b. Dec. 22, 1838, and had : 

491 Carry, b. Dec. 12, 1870; m. Frank Manser. 
Samuel G. Rowles resides Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

CDXCI 

491 CARRY, daughter of (488) Eveanna Rowles; m. 
Sept. 13, 1892, Frank Manser. Issue: 

492 Natalie, b. Oct. 28, 1893. 

493 Eveline, b. Jan. 25, 1894. 

CDLXXXIX 

489 LUCY M., daughter of (335) Lucy Ham; m. Apt. 
1879, Thomas J. Lape, and had: 

Harry, b. Apr. 15, 1880; d. Aug. 7, 1880. 



BEST GENEALOGY 95 

CCCXXXVI 

336 ANDREW K., son of (152) Jeremiah Best; m. 
Nov. 29, 1846, by Rev. J. Ham, Emily Harrison, b. May 
14, 1837, at Litchfield, Conn. Issue: 

495 Catherine, b. d. y. 

496 Charles, b. d. y. 

Andrew K. Best resides at No. 103 Cannon St., Po- 
keepsie. 

CCCXXXVII 

337 MARGARET JANE, daughter of (152) Jeremiah 
Best; m. Nov. 29, 1845, Stephen H. Shutts, b. Sept. 9, 
1825. Issue: 

497 Ophelia, b. Oct. 16, 1850; m. Albert Potts. 

498 Charles, b. Oct. 28, 1852; d. Oct. 5, 1859. 

499 Wilson, b. Feb. 2, 1856; d. Apr. 21, 1864. 

500 Emmet, b. Feb. 23, 1857; d. Apr. 2, 1858. 

501 Margaret Best, b. Mch. 21, 1864. 

Stephen H. Shutts enlisted, at Hillsdale, Aug. 15, 1862, 
128th Regt., Co. E. 

CCCCLXXXXVII 

497 OPHELIA, daughter of (337) Margaret Jane 
Shutts; m. Oct. 16, 1872, Albert Potts, b. June 27, 1843, 
and had: 

502 Jenny Shutts, b. Dec. 20, 1877; m. Charles L. 

Hitt. 

503 Mary, b. May 5, 1880. 

504 Stephen Horton, b. Sept. 21, 1882. 

505 Margaret Best, b. Mch. 20, 1885. 

506 Ernest, b. Aug. 23, 1889. 



96 BEST GENEALOGY 

DII 






502 JENNY SHUTTS, daughter of (497) Ophelia 
Potts; m. Mch. 17, 1897, Charles L. Hitt and had: 

507 Gertrude A., b. Feb. 1, 1898. 

CCCXXXVIII 

338 JACOB, son of (154) Lena Horton; m. Sept. 15, 
1846, Desiah D. Dunspaugh, daughter of Henry and 
Christina (Potts) Dunspaugh, of Livingston, b. July 7, 
1825. Issue: 

508 Charles Lester, b. Sept. 20, 1847. 

509 Fred B., Mch. 17, i860. 

510 Harry D., b. July 17, 1855; d. Oct. 23, 1875. 

Jacob Horton, M.D., resided at Johnstown, where he 
practised his profession for over forty years, with marked 
success. He studied medicine with Dr. Robert Treat 
Paine, an eminent specialist, of Clyde, N. Y.; and, after 
his graduation, Nov. 25, 1845, from the Castleton (Vt.) 
Medical College, located at Johnstown. He was Town 
Clerk, 1859. His son (569) Fred B., was Town Clerk in 
1 89 1, and had held other offices in the town. 

CCCXXXIX 

339 WILSON, son of (154) Lena Horton; m. Nov. 20, 
i860, Cornelia A. Chase, b. Dec. 8, 1837, and had: 

511 Jenny C, b. Nov. 5, 1866; m. Sheridan Daball. 

512 Hellene Grace, b. Jan. 9, 1876. 

513 George W., b. Mch. 14, 1872; d. Aug. 26, 1872. 

514 Wilson M., b. Apr. 1, 1878. 

Wilson Horton resides Clyde, Wayne Co., N. Y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 97 

CCCXLII 

342 JOHN B., son of (154) Lena Horton;m. 1865, 
Ellen R. Smith, b. 1836, and had: 

515 Smith G., b. 1874; m. 1898, Olive 

B. Barton, b. 1877. Resides Clyde. 

DXI 

511 JENNY C, daughter of (339) Wilson Horton; m. 
July 2, 1890, Sheridan Daball, b. 1864. Issue: 

516 Wilson, b. Apr. 24, 1891. 

517 Martha Grace, b. Nov. 11, 1900. 

Sheridan Daball resides at Rochester, N. Y. 
CCCXLIII 

343 HARMON, son of (155) Robert Best; m. Mar- 
garet Hicks, and had: 



518 


Emily, b. 


; m. 


519 


Augusta, b. 


; m. 


520 


Ida, b. 


; m. 


521 


Luella, b. 


; m. 


522 


Arthur, b. 


; m. 
CCCXLIV 



344 MILTON, son of (155) Robert Best; m. Ann 

Melius, and had: 

523 Hattie D., b. ; m. Sept. 4, 187 1, George 

P. Malone. 

524 Frank, b. 

Milton Best enlisted, at Hudson, Nov. 4, 1862, 12th 
Cav., Co. C. 



98 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCCXLV 

345 MARY CORNELIA, daughter of (155) Robert 
Best; m. Robert Rockefeller, son of Obadiah and 

Margaret (Bortell) Rockefeller, and had: 

525 Helen A., b. ; m. Jan. 22, 1874, Reuben 

Ham, son of Zechariah and Charity (Decker) 
Ham, b. at Livingston, Apr. 29, 1844. Re- 
sides Claverack. Supervisor, 1889-90. No 
issue. 

CCCXLVIII 

348 ELIZABETH CHRISTINA, daughter of (155) 
Robert Best; m. Edward A. Weaver, of Millerton, and had: 

526 Henrietta, b. ; m. Frank Silvernail. 

Resides Red Hook. 

CCCXLIX 

349 HENRY EDGAR, son of (155) Robert Best; m. 
Oct. 15, 1856, Catherine Maria Smith, b. Nov. 2, 1840, 
and had: 

527 Ada, b. July 12, 1857; m. Charles David Tiffany. 

528 Carry, b. Sept. 6, 1859; m. Byaly Miller. 

529 Jessie, b. Mch. 30, 1862; d. May 10, 1863. 

530 Anna Maria, b. Aug. 26, 1864; m. Jonas A. 

Rossman. 

531 Janette, b. Mch. 5, 1867; m. Nov. 2, 1887, 

James I. Leggett; d. Oct. 19, 1888. No issue. 

532 Lulu, b. Oct. 30, 1874; m. James H. Miller. 

533 Eugenia, b. Nov. 13, 1877 ; m. Edgar S. Bradley 

534 Catherine E., b. Apr. 17, 1879; d. Mch. 16, 

1881. 

DXXVII 

527 Ada, daughter of (349) Henry E. Best; m. June 
5, 1878, Charles D.Tiffany, b. June 3, 1856. Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 99 

535 Claude, b. Mch. 5, 1879. 

536 Gordon, b. Mch. 10, 1881; d. July 8, 1899. 

537 Lila Erroll, b. Sept. 1, 1884. 

538 Mary Irene, b. Sept. 9, 1889. 

539 Rossman, b. July 29, 1895. 

540 Harold, b. Oct. 6, 1900. 

DXXVIII 

528 CARRY, daughter of (349) Henry E. Best; m. 
Oct. 10, 1878, Byaly Miller, b. Apr. 23, 1853, and had: 

541 Emmett Rufus, b. Oct. 26, 1880. 

542 Carroll Du Bois, b. Oct. 11, 1885. 

DXXX 

530 ANNA MARIA, daughter of (349) Henry E. Best; 
m. Feb. 29, 1884, Jonas A. Rossman. Resides No. 217 
Alexander Ave., N. Y. City. Issue: 

543 Nellie Blaine, b. Feb. 16, 1885; d. Oct. 29, 

1886. 

544 Lillian R., b. July 14, 1889. 

545 Jonas F., b. Oct. 15, 1890; d. June, 1892. 

DXXXII 

532 LULU, daughter of (349) Henry E. Best; m. Feb. 
11, 1 89 1, James H. Miller, and had: 

546 Myra Best, b. May 30, 1891. 

547 Kittie Alta, b. Mch. 23, 1893. 

548 Edgar S., b. Dec. 1, 1895. 

549 Jonas A., b. Jan. 1, 1898. 

DXXXIII 

533 EUGENIA, daughter of (349) Henry E. Best; 
m. Apr. 22, 1896, Edgar S. Bradley. Issue: 



100 BEST GENEALOGY 

550 Anna Rebecca, b. Dec. 19, 1896. 

551 Lincoln Maurice, b. Feb. 12, 1897. 

552 Charles Stewart, b. July 29, 1898. 

CCCL 

350 ANNA MARIA, daughter of (155) Robert Best; 
m. Henry Best, son of Walter Best and Rhoda Smith, 
b. at Caldwell, Rockland Co., N. Y. Issue: 

553 Grace, b. Jan. 23, 1868; m. — Boucher. 

554 Henry J., b. Nov. 25, 1867. 

555 Anna Maria, b. Sept. 5, 1870. 

556 Lillian, b. 

Henry Best resides Red Hook, N. Y. 
CCCLI 

351 MARGARET MILLER, daughter of (155) Robert 
Best; m. Mch. 8, 1855, Rensselaer Rote, b. Sept. 1, 1832, 
and had: 

557 Willis H., b. Dec. 30, 1858; m. Apr. 24, 1895, 

Minnie Crow. No issue. Resides 1334 Polk 
St., San Francisco, Cal. 

558 Robert, b. Mch. 20, 1864; m. Amber Foreman. 

559 Stanley D.,b. Jan. 8, 1866; m. Harriet Crimbeck. 

560 Anna M., b. July 30, 1868; m. James H. Walker. 

561 Helena, b. Aug., 1862; d. 1865. 

DLVIII 

558 Robert, son of (351) Margaret M. Rote; m. 
Sept., 1892, Amber Foreman. Issue: 

562 Marguerite, b. Sept. 27, 1893. 

563 Kathryn Evelyn, b. July 5, 1898. 

DLIX 

559 STANLEY D., son of (351) Margaret M. Rote; 



BEST GENEALOGY 101 

m. Oct. 29, 1896, Harriet Crimbeck, b. Jan. 28, 1866, and 
had: . 

564 Helen Winifred, b. May 9, 1898. 

Stanley D. Rote resides at No. 248 East St., Rensselaer, 
N. Y. 

DLX 

560 ANNA M., daughter of (351) Margaret M. Rote; 
m. Jan. 10, 1895, James H. Walker. Issue: 

565 Ernest Vaughn, b. July 19, 1896. 

566 Margaret Annabelle, b. Mch. 22, 1900. 

James H. Walker resides Livingston, N. Y. 
CCCLII 

352 JOHN EMMET, son of (155) Robert Best; m. 
Apr. 18, i860, Catherine A. Holsapple, and had: 

567 Emma, b. ; d. 

568 Agnes, b. ; m. 

John E. Best resides Albia, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. 

DLXVIII 

568 AGNES, daughter of (352) John E. Best; m. — . 
Resides Albia, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Issue: 

569 Agnes, b. 

CCCLIII 

353 HELEN, daughter of (155) Robert Best; m. 
Nov. 2i, 1 87 1, Robert Munkuttrick, b. Nov., 1842; d. 
May 19, 1895. Issue: 

570 Charles, b. May 18, 1873; d. May 19, 1895. 



102 BEST GENEALOGY 

Resides No. 107 West 51st St., N. Y. City. 

CCCLIV 

354 CHARLES MONROE, son of (155) Robert Best; 
m. Charlotte Ann Kells. Resides Livingston. Issue: 

571 Russell B., b. ; m. Ham. 

572 Willard, b. ; m. Knickerbocker. 

573 James, b. ; d. 

574 Nellie, b. ; m. . Resides in the 

west. 

575 Robert, b. June 19, 1863; m. Henrietta C. 

Try on. 

DLXXI 

571 RUSSELL B., son of (354) Charles M. Best; m. 

— Ham, and had: 

576 Leroy, b. 

577 Clifford, b. 

578 Alma May, b. 

579 Russell, b. 

DLXXII 

572 WILLARD, son of (354) Charles M. Best; m. 

— Knickerbocker, and had: 

580 Clara Belle, b. 

DLXXV 

575 ROBERT, son of (354) Charles M. Best; m. 
188?, Henrietta C. Tryon, b. Aug. 24, 1865. Issue: 

581 Minnie Luella, b. Feb. 13, 1883. 

582 Elva Irene, b. Nov. 28, 1887. 

583 Russell Miner, b. May 20, 1899. 

Resides No. 607 Pawling Ave., Albia, N. Y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 103 

CCXLII 

242 EVE, daughter of (75) John J. Best; m. Dec. 27, 
1818, Jacob Tiel Ham. He d. Feb. 18, 1869, aged 71 
years. Issue: 

584 Wilson, b. Jan. 12, 1820; m. (335) Lucy Best, 

daughter of (152) Jeremiah Best (see under 
family No. 335); d. May 31, 1899. 

585 John Tiel, b. Feb. 1, 1822; m. 1st, Helen 

Cornelia Shultz; m. 2nd, Emma F. Drury. 

586 Thomas, b. May 26, 1824; d. Jan., 1841. Buried 

Johnstown. 

587 Allen Jacob, b. Oct. 11, 1826; m. Martha Jane 

Cutler. 

DLXXXV 

585 JOHN TIEL, son of (242) Eve Ham; m. 1st, 
Sept. 10, 1844, Helen Cornelia Shultz, b. Mch. 19, 1826; 
d. 1852. Issue: 

588 Mary Isabella, b. Oct. 26, 1846; d. Feb. 14, 

1870. 

589 Helen Catherine, b. July 28, 1852; m. Philip 

Radcliff; m. 2nd, Feb. 23, 1854, Emma F. 
Drury, b. July 13, 1836. No issue. 

Jacob T. Ham resides Stuyvesant Landing, N. Y. 

DLXXXIX 

589 HELEN CATHERINE, daughter of (585) John 
T. Ham; m. Jan. 8, 1873, Philip Radcliff, and had: 

590 William H., b. Nov. 30, 1873; m. Apr. 26, 

1899, Alma D. Teal. No issue. 

591 Grace Marrian, b. Mch. 5, 1877 ; d. Jan. 1, 1880. 

DLXXXVII 
587 ALLEN JACOB, son of (242) Eve Ham; m. 



104 BEST GENEALOGY 

Jan. i6, 1850, Martha Jane Cutler, b. Oct. 11, 1824; d. 
May 1, 1900, and had: 

592 Thomas S., b. Apr. 4, 1851; m. Hulena Orde. 

593 Elizabeth Best, b. June 2, 1857; m. Sept. 

28, 1 88 1, Frank S. Fay. No issue. 

DXCII 

592 THOMAS S., son of (587) Allen J. Ham; m. Aug. 
23, 1882, Hulena Orde. Issue: 

594 Marianna, b. Aug. 2, 1884. 

CCXLIV 

244 JOHN LOUNARD, son of (75) John J. Best; m. 
Sept. 14, 1825, Maria Williams, and had: 

595 Martin Luther, b. Nov. 11, 1827; d. in the west. 

596 Catherine Margaret, b. Aug. 28, 1826; d. 

Sept. 12, 1828. 

597 Mary Elizabeth, b. Oct. 7, 1829. 

CCXVL 

245 CATHERINE, daughter of (75) John J. Best; m. 
Jan. 8, 1827, by Rev. A. N. Kettle, Robert Nicholas Van 
Deusen, b. Oct. 4, 1804; d. Oct. 28, 1863, aged 59 years. 
Issue : 

598 Edwin Holmes, b. Aug. 29, bp. Nov. 9, 1828, 

by Rev. Harmon Vedder, at the Reformed 
Dutch Church, Johnstown, Col. Co., N. Y.; 
m. Cynthia Ann Wendover. 

599 Margaret Ann, b. July 27, bp. Oct. 24, 1830, 

at Johnstown; d. Sept. 25, 1857; single; buried 
at Stuyvesant Landing, N. Y. 

600 Mary Ellen, b. Dec. 20, 1832; bp. Feb. 22, 1833; 



BEST GENEALOGY 105 

m. Oct. 5, 185?, William Pierson Hazelton. 
Resides N. Y. City, N. Y. No issue. 

Robert Nicholas Van Deusen, after a long life passed 
in mercantile pursuits, in Livingston Manor, purchased, 
in 1849, at Stuyvesant Landing, the colonial mansion and 
farm of Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, Secretary of State under 
President Van Buren, and resided there until his death. 
The property has, lately, passed into the possession of an 
Odd Fellows Order, and been converted into a home for 
aged members. For full biographical notes of this family, 
see Van Deusen Genealogy, p. 80, published by the author 
of this book. 

DXCVIII 

598 EDWIN HOLMES, son of (245) Catherine Van 
Deusen; m. July 22, 1858, Cynthia Ann Wendover, daughter 
of John Thompson Wendover, of Stuyvesant Landing, 
N. Y., b. Aug. 4, 1835. Mar. by Rev. Egbert Nevins, of 
Stuyvesant. Issue: 

601 Robert Thompson, b. Kalamazoo, Mich., Apr. 

26, 1859; m. 1st, Dec. 13, 1882, Alice Bertha 
Bates, daughter of James H. Bates, Brooklyn, 
N. Y. ; no issue. Adopted, Florence Wendover 
Van Deusen, b. Aug. 30, 1879; m. 2nd, Har- 
riett Louise Mosier. 

602 Anna Margaret, b. Kalamazoo, Mich., May 17, 

1862; d. Feb. 5, 1864. Buried at Mt. Home 
Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Removed to cemetery 
at Stuyvesant Landing, N. Y. 

Edwin H. Van Deusen was, for many years, Medical 
Superintendent of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane 
(see Van Deusen Genealogy, pp. 134-7). 

DCI 

601 ROBERT THOMPSON, son of (598) Edwin 



106 BEST GENEALOGY 

Holmes Van Deusen; m. June 6, 1899, Harriett Louise 
Mosier, b. South Schodack, Rens. Co., N. Y., June 6, 1877, 
and had: 

603 Harriett Huyck, b. Mch. 3, 1900. 

604 Robert Wendover, b. 

Robert T. Van Deusen resides at Newburgh, N. Y. 

CCXLVI 

246 HENRY ALLAN, son of (75) John J. Best; m. 
Sept. 16, 1835, by Rev. A. N. Kettle, at Stuyvesant Land- 
ing, Elizabeth P. Cutter, b. Apr. 28, 1816; d. Nov. 18, 
1855. Buried Stuyvesant Landing, N. Y. Issue: 

605 Abigail Stevens, b. Feb. 7, 1842. Single. 

Resides Stuyvesant Landing. 

606 Henry Allan, b. Apr. 20, 1848; m. Mary Kate 

Pruyn; d. Jan. 20, 1905. 

Henry Allan Best was largely interested in mercantile 
pursuits. He established, in 1868, a merchants' and 
general freighting business at Stuyvesant Landing, under 
the firm name of Henry A. Best & Co. ; was one of the Con- 
sistory of the Stuyvesant Reformed Dutch Church; was a 
member of the last Disbursing Committee, Jan. 4, 1865; 
Supervisor, 1859-75; and a Director of the National Union 
Bank at Kinderhook, N. Y. 

DCVI 

606 HENRY ALLAN, son of (246) Henry Allan Best; 
m. Nov. 5, 1879, by Rev. E. A. Collier, Mary Kate Pruyn, 
of Kinderhook, N. Y. (see Pruyn Genealogy), b. Mch. 
15, 1858. Issue: 

607 Pruyn, b. July 27, 1880; d. Oct. 14, 1881. 

608 Henry Allan, b. May 27, 1884; d. Jan. 15, 1886. 

609 Abigail Lee, b. Apr. 4, 1887. 



BEST GENEALOGY 107 

Henry A. Best died at his beautiful home at Stuyvesant 
Landing, Jan. 20, 1905. He was an energetic business 
man and a representative citizen of Columbia County. 
He was engaged in the freighting business, and was an 
extensive dealer in lumber, coal, and feed at Stuyvesant 
Landing. He was one of the substantial property-holders 
of the county and was well and favorably known as a man 
of more than ordinary business talent and worth. Mr. 
Best's elementary talent and worth were obtained in the 
schools of his native town, and his more advanced studies 
were pursued in schools at Rhinebeck and Poughkeepsie. 
After his graduation he entered the store of his father 
at Stuyvesant as a clerk, remaining in that capacity until 
1872, when his father retired from active business, and 
he was admitted to the firm as junior member, the name 
being changed to J. Woolcox & Co. In 1880 the firm name 
was changed to Best & Bray. After several years of con- 
tinued prosperity another change in the firm was made, 
the name then reading H. A. Best & Co. In 1888, Mr. 
Best sold out his interest in the store and abandoned 
mercantile pursuits for awhile. Two years later, however, 
he purchased the freighting business, which he carried on 
up to the time of his death, adding the lumber, coal, and 
feed business to his sole enterprise. He was the owner 
of several large farms and accumulated considerable 
wealth. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, and a 
sister, who reside in Stuyvesant Landing. 

CCXLVIa 

246a MARY, daughter of (,75) John J. Best; m. 1st, 
Mch. 25, 1837, by Rev. Richard Sluyter, at Claverack, 
N. Y., Milton Peters, b. May 22, 181 5; d. Feb. 17, 1845. 
Issue : 

610 Clarence, b. May 28, 1838; m. Addie E. Smith; 
d. Oct. 6, 1897. 



108 BEST GENEALOGY 

Mar. 2nd, Sept., 1849, Peter J. Houghtaling, b. Feb. 21, 
1819. Resides Stuyvesant Landing. No issue. Asst. 
Postmaster of the Assembly, 1867. 

DCX 

610 CLARENCE, son of (246a) Mary Peters; m. Jan. 
17, 1 866, Addie E. Smith, b. Apr. 20, 1840. Resides 
Stuyvesant Landing. Issue: 

611 Harriet, b. Sept. 22, 1867; m. Edward Murrell. 

612 Ada, b. Aug. 16, 1871. 

613 Milton, b. June 18, 1873. 

614 Allen B., b. July 31, 1877. 

Clarence Peters was Town Clerk, 1866; enlisted, at 
Stuyvesant, Apr. 23, 1861, 9th Regt. Co. G. 

DCXI 

611 HARRIET, daughter of (610) Clarence Peters; 
m. June 15, 1887, Edward Murrell, b. June 11, 1865. Issue: 

615 Minnie L., b. Jan. 2, 1889. 

616 Clarence, b. Sept. 26, 1892. 

617 Esther, b. Nov. 23, 1897. 

CCXLVII 

247 WILLIAM, son of (75) John J. Best; m. Dec. 15, 
1836, by Rev. I. H. Van Waggoner, at Livingston, Emeline 
Miller, b. Dec. 30, 181 8; d. June 22, 1890. Issue: 

618 Emeline, b. d. y. 

619 Maggie, b. d. y. 

620 Valeria, b. Dec. 8, 1836; m. 1st, George W. 

Bayly; m. 2nd, George P. K. Pomeroy, M.D.; 
d. May 1, 1900. 



BEST GENEALOGY 109 

621 Mary Peters, b. Feb. 7, 1846; m. Sanford 

Mayell. 

622 Edward S., Feb. 15, 1840; m. Martha M. Rogers; 

d. Feb. 22, 1885. 

623 William Lounard, b. June 14, 1848. d. y. 

624 Harriet Ann, b. Sept. 14, 1849. d. y. 

William Best was Supervisor of the town of Stuyvesant, 
1849-51; Sheriff of the county, 1852; and, for many years, 
President of the National Bank of Kinderhook. 

DCXX 

620 VALERIA, daughter of (247) William Best; m. 
1st, Oct. 23, 1859, George W. Bayly, b. Mch. 6, 1833; d. 
June 15, 1875. Issue: 

625 Sarah Elizabeth, b. July 4, 1861; d.Dec. 6, 1862. 
Mar. 2nd, George P. K. Pomeroy, M.D., Jan. 4, 1862. 

George W. Bayly was Supervisor from the town of 
Stuyvesant, 1866. 

George P. K. Pomeroy, M.D., graduated from the Albany 
Medical College, in the class of 1878; was one of the in- 
corporators and President of the " Forewood Cemetery 
Association," of Stuyvesant Landing; is a member and 
has been President of the Columbia County Medical Society ; 
is an associate of the State Medical Association, and has 
been Health Officer, since the organization of the Board 
of Health, in 1880, of the town of Stuyvesant. He is 
one of the Democratic County Committee, and a member 
of the Town Committee. 

DCXXI 

621 MARY PETERS, daughter of (247) William Best; 
m. Jan. 29, 1866, Sanford Mayell, b. 1844; d. 
1891. Resides 220 Aline St., Buffalo, N. Y. Issue: 



110 BEST GENEALOGY 

626 Valeria Eloise, bp. July 22, 1867; m - 

— Boehm. 

DCXXVI 

626 VALERIA ELOISE, daughter of (621) Mary P. 
Mayell; m. 1888, — Boehm, and had: 

627 Leslie M., b. 1890; d. Nov. 13, 1890. 

DCXXII 

622 EDWARD S., son of (247) William Best; m. Jan. 
23, 1867, Martha M. Rogers, b. Sept. 29, 1844. Resides 
Valatie, N. Y. Issue: 

628 Howard, b. Oct. 4, 1877. 

629 John R., b. Feb. 18, 1869; d. Aug. 23, 1869. 

630 Elizabeth, b. Mch. 8, 187 1. 

CCXLVIII 

248 PETER, son of (75) John J. Best; m. Nov. 26, 
1845, Harriet Rockefeller, b. Sept. 14, 1821; d. Jan. 23, 
1892. Buried Claverack. Issue: 

631 Elizabeth Tobey Cutler, b. Aug. 10, 1846; d. 

Dec. 24, 1854. 

632 Harriet Anna, b. Feb. 2, 1849. Resides 

Claverack, N. Y. 

633 Augusta Lynes, b. July 22, 1856; m. Wilbur 

Miller. 

Peter Best was for many years a trustee of Claverack 
College. 

DCXXXIII 

633 AUGUSTA LYNES, daughter of (248) Peter Best; 
m. Jan. 29, 1879, Wilbur Miller, and had: 

634 Clayton J., b. Feb. 19, 1880; m. 



BEST GENEALOGY 111 

CCIL 

249 JACOB, son of (75) John J. Best; m. Dec. 1, 1853, 
at Ovid, N. Y., by Rev. Hamilton, Gertrude Nevius, b. 
Dec. 17, 1822, and had: 

635 John Leighton Wilson, b. May 19, 1855; m. 

Sept. 10, 1890, by Rev. Frederick Woods, D.D., 
Stella Francis Lewis. No issue. Resides 
Springfield, Mass. Address, "Springfield 
News." 

636 Margaret Elizabeth, b. May 19, 1855; m. 

Rev. George W. Adams. 

637 Anna Donaldson, b. Sept. 4, 1862; m. Arthur 

Head; d. Aug. 9, 1893. 

638 Ellen Gertrude, b. Oct. 17, 1864; m. Rev. 

John Merriam. 

Jacob Best, D.D. was living in 1894; had been pastor 
of churches at Way mart, Pa., and Brooklyn, N. Y.; was 
a'man of marked ability and character, and achieved great 
success in his chosen work. 

DCXXXVI 

636 MARGARET ELIZABETH, daughter of (249) 
Jacob Best; m. Oct. 3, 1882, by Rev. Jacob Best, at Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., Rev. George W. Adams. Resides Wilson, 
N. Y. Issue: 

639 Benjamin Pettengill, b. July 14, 1883. 

640 Elbert Nevius, b. Aug. 9, 1885. 

641 Samuel Dean, b. Feb. 20, 1887. 

642 George Fletcher, b. June 12, 1890. 

DCXXXVII 

637 ANNA DONALDSON, daughter of (249) Jacob 
Best; m. Dec. 1, 1886, by Rev. Jacob Best, at Brooklyn, 



112 BEST GENEALOGY 

N. Y., Arthur Head, b. July 31, 1851. Resides Towanda 
Pa. Issue: 

643 Allan Best, b. Oct. 24, 1887. 

644 Jacob Ward, b. Apr. 12, 1889. 

645 Gertrude Nevius, b. Sept. 22, 1891. 

DCXXXVIII 

638 ELLEN GERTRUDE, daughter of (249) Jacob 
Best; m. Nov. 29, 1887, by Rev. Jacob Best, at Brooklyn, 
N. Y., Rev. John Merriam, b. Apr. 14, 1855. Issue: 

646 Charles Leighton, b. Sept. 11, 1888. 

647 Arthur Marshall, b. Aug. 22, 1892. 

648 John Howard, b. Nov. 8, 1894. 

649 Joseph Lawrence, b. Nov. 11, 1896. 

650 Gertrude Best, b. Apr. 7, 1899. 

Rev. John Merriam resides at Port Dickinson, N. Y. 

CCL 

250 MARGARET, daughter of (76) Catherine Becker; 
m. Sept. 18, 1814, William Reynolds, b. July 4, 1789; d. 
July 5, 1847. Issue: 

651 Eliza Catherine, b. July 22, 1815; m. Feb. 13. 

1873, Jacob Ostrander. No issue. He d. 
1900. She d. Aug. 4, 1899. Both buried 
Greenbush. 

652 Harrison Edward, b. Oct. 21, 1816; d. Sept. 

16, 1832. 

653 Hiram, b. Apr. 20, 1818; d. Apr. 2, 1850. Single, 

654 Christina Maria, b. Sept. 12, 1819; m. Joseph 

D. Morris; d. Jan. 8, 1892. 

655 Thomas H., b. Aug. 25, 1821; m. Jane A. Ham; 

d. Oct. 20, 1895. 

656 Eleanor, b. June 24, 1824; d. Dec. 22, 1825. 



BEST GENEALOGY 113 

657 Margaret, b. July 30, 1827; m. Reuben Living 

ston. 

658 Henry Harris, b. Apr. 2, 1830; Elizabeth ; 

d. Apr. 18, 1883. 

659 Malinda, b. July 18, 1833. 

660 Eveline, b. Mch. 3, 1839; m. (952) Thaddeus 

C. S. Reynolds (see under family No. 952). 

DCLIV 

654 CHRISTINA MARIA, daughter of (250) Margaret 
Reynolds; m. Oct. 12, 1842, Joseph D. Morris, b. Sept. 
2, 1817; d. July 15, 1882. Issue: 

661 Jane Ellen, b. May 26, 1844; m. John A. 

Almstead. 

662 Edwin Reynolds, b. Nov. 28, 1846; m. Eliza 

Jane Waterbury. 

Joseph D. Morris resided East Schodack, N. Y. 

DCLV 

655 THOMAS H., son of (250) Margaret Reynolds; 
m. Feb. 6, 1845, Jane A. Ham, b. Sept. 22, 1826. Issue: 

663 Isaac Dewitt, b. Jan. 31, 1846; m. Frances A. 

Waterbury; d. Sept. 4, 1889. 

664 Emma F., b. Jan. 17, 1848; m. Col. S. Wheeler. 

665 William H., b. Mch. 17, 1850; m. Josephine 

Mosier. 

666 Calvin F., b. Sept. 25, 1852 ; m. Margaret Whit- 

beck. 

667 Eva C, b. Feb. 26, 1858; m. William H. Fellows. 

668 Phebe E., b. Oct. 16, 1867. Single. 

669 Charles J., b. Sept. 4, 1872; m. Sept. 4, 1893, 

Bertha Pitts. No issue. 

Thomas H. Reynolds resides Nassau, Rens. Co., N. Y. 



114 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCLVII 

657 MARGARET, daughter of (250) Margaret Rey- 
nolds; m. Nov. 21, 1850, Reuben Livingston, b. Jan. 3, 
1826. Issue: 

670 Alda, b. Oct. 7, 1851; d. Sept. 14, 1852. 

671 Renaldo R., b. July 25, 1855; m. Elna H. 

Snyder. 

672 Adelmar T., b. Dec. 18, 1857 ; m. Ida L. Purves, 

Sept. 29, 1886. She was b. Feb. 4, i860. 
Resides Springfield, Mass. No issue. 

673 Reuben H., b. Oct. 8, 1863; d. Dec. 4, 1891; m. 

Ann Augusta Lane. 

674 Charles G., b. Feb. 5, 1871; m. 1st, Emma 

Bulson; m. 2nd, Ester Sawyer. 

DCLVIII 

658 HENRY HARRIS, son of (250) Margaret Rey- 
nolds; m. 185?, Elizabeth , and had: 

675 Elizabeth Jane, b. 

Henry Harris Reynolds resides E. D., No. 66 Jefferson 
St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

DCLXI 

661 JANE ELLEN, daughter of (654) Christina M. 
Morris; m. May 26, 1861, John A. Almstead, and had: 

676 Amelia M., b. Feb. 26, 1865; m. Edward Coomber. 

677 Irving Abner, b. Jury 9, 1868. Single. 

678 Morris J., b. Mch. 18, 1870; m. Mary Emma 

Radcliffe. 

679 Raymond P., b. Sept. 20, 1872; m. 1899, 

Charlotte Buhr, b. Apr. 23, 1878. No issue. 

John A. Almstead resides 192 Frank St., Rochester, 
N. Y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 115 

DCLXXVI 

676 AMELIA M., daughter of (661) Jane E. Almstead; 
m. Feb. 27, 1895, Edward Coomber, b. at Trowbridge, 
Eng., Dec. 15, 1863, and had: 

680 J. Edward, b. Feb. 29, 1896. 

681 Raymond Almstead, b. Nov. 12, 1899. 

DCLXXVIII 

678 MORRIS J., son of (661) Jane E. Almstead; m. 
June 7, 1894, Mary Emma Radcliffe, b. May 10, 1873. 
Issue : 

682 Leah Ellen, b. Sept. 12, 1895. 

683 William, b. Dec. 29, 1896. 

684 Maurice, b. Feb. 25, 1899. 

DCLXII 

662 EDWIN REYNOLDS, son of (654) Christina M. 
Morris; m. Feb. 8, 1871, Eliza Jane Waterbury, and had: 

685 Herbert D., b. Nov. 5, 1871; m. Sept. 19, 

1895, Martha R. Kimmey. No issue. 

Edwin R. Morris resides East Schodack, N. Y. 
DCLXIII 

663 ISAAC DEWITT, son of (655) Thomas H. Rey- 
nolds; m. Sept. 27, 1868, Frances A. Waterbury, b. Sept. 
27, 1846. Issue: 

686 Nellie M., b. June 28, 1869; m. Oct. 19, 1898, 

John Wesley Hyde, b. Feb. 29, 1872. 

687 Thomas H., b. Jan. 26, 1871. 

DCLXIV 

664 EMMA F., daughter of (655) Thomas H. Reynolds; 
m. Feb. 26, 1880, Colonel S. Wheeler. Issue: 

688 Silas R., b. May 11, 1882. 



116 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCLXV 

665 WILLIAM H., son of (655) Thomas H. Reynolds; 
m. Oct. 4, 1878, Josephine Mosier. Issue: 

689 James Miller, b. July 25, 1880. 

690 Florence Josephine, b. Nov. 7, 1886. 

DCLXVI 

666 CALVIN F., son of (655) Thomas H. Reynolds 
m. Dec. 11, 1878, Margaret Whitbeck, b. Jan. 22, 1852. 
Issue : 

691 William Whitbeck, b. Sept. 20, 1878. 

692 Minnie Ferris, b. Aug. 29, 1881. 

693 Mabelle Stanton, b. Oct. 4, 1891. 

694 Herbert Edwin, b. Nov. 21, 1893. 

DCLXVII 

667 EVA C, daughter of (655) Thomas H. Reynolds • 
m. June 14, 1882, William H. Fellows, b. Feb. 16, 1855, 
and had: 

695 Maria Jane, b. Sept. 12, 1884; d. Aug. 21, 1891. 

696 Minnie R., b. Oct. 19, 1887; d. Aug. 24, 1891. 

DCLXXI 

671 RENALDO R., son of (657) Margaret Livingston; 
m. Jan. 19, 1888, Edna H. Snyder, b. Nov. 12, 1869, and 
had: 

697 Harry R., b. Feb. 12, 1889. 

698 Raymond H., b. Jan. 30, 1890. 

699 Harriet, b. Dec. 2, 1892. 

DCLXXIII 

673 REUBEN H., son of (657) Margaret Livingston; 
m. Dec. 25, 1883, at Lutheran Church, Ghent, Ann Augusta 
Lane, of Ghent, N. Y., b. Sept. 19, 1855. Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 117 

700 Alida M., b. Mch. 5, 1885. 

701 Edith A., b. June 16, 1886; d. Dec. 29, 1892. 

DCLXXIV 

674 CHARLES G., son of (657) Margaret Livingston; 
m. 1st, Emma Bulson. She d. June, 1895. Issue: 

702 Edith, b. d. y. 

703 Claude, b. d. y. 

704 Irene, b. d. y. 

M. 2nd, 1896. Ester Sawyer, and had: 

705 William, b. July 10, 1897; d. Dec. 3, 1897. 

706 Elizabeth, b. Nov. 6, 1899. 

Charles G. Livingston resides 218 Sixth St., Leominister, 
Mass. 

DCLI 

651 CHRISTINA MARIA, daughter of (76) Catherine 
Becker; m. Aug. 3, 181 7, at Claverack, N. Y., by Rev. 
Gebbard, Jacob Shultus, b. !794J d. 1870. 

Issue : 

707 Levi, b. Mch. 28, 1819; d. . Single. Served 

in the Civil War. 

708 John, b. Jan. 9, 1824; d. June 29, 1892. Single. 

709 Catherine Maria, b. Nov. 6, 182 1; m. Asa 

Spalding. 

710 Peter, b. Apr. 6, 1826; m. Martha Benjamin. 

711 Robert, b. Nov. 8, 1829; d. May 28, 1831. 

712 Horace, b. May 19, 1833; m. Lillian Orcott. 

DCCIX 

709 CATHERINE MARIA, daughter of (251) Christina 
M. Shultus; m. June 2, 1842, Asa Spalding, of Hoosick 
Falls, b. Oct. 15, 1817; d. Nov. 23, 1888. Issue: 



118 BEST GENEALOGY 

713 Rowland Asa, b. Oct. 28, 1851; m. Mrs. Alice 

E. Crissey. 

714 Sarah Augusta, b. Dec. 10, 1843; m. Isaac S. 

Bixby. 

715 Charles A., b. Oct. 15, 1854; m. 1st, Nettie 

J. Watts; m. 2nd, Emma M. Barnes. 

716 Willis Urann, b. Mch. 16, 1846; d. Oct. 2, 1847. 

717 Christina C, b. Oct. 7, 1849; d. Nov. 18, 1849. 

DCCXIII 

713 ROWLAND ASA, son of (709) Catherine M. 
Spalding; m. Oct. 28, 1886, Alice Elizabeth (Tuck) Crissey, 
widow of Charles Herman Crissey, and daughter of William 
and Catherine Elizabeth (Dean) Tuck, b. at Wilkesbarre, 
Pa., Apr. 20, 1853. Issue: 

718 Kathleen Tuck, b. Nov. 3, 1887. 

719 Irving Asa, b. June 18, 1889. 

Rowland A. Spalding resides No. 88 North Franklin 
St., Wilkesbarre, Pa. 

DCCXIV 

714 SARAH AUGUSTA, daughter of (709) Catherine 
M. Spalding; m. May 3, 1865, Isaac S. Bixby, b. Aug. 9, 
1841, and had: 

720 Frances C, b. Mch. 12, 1876; m. William F. 

Breen. 

Isaac S. Bixby resides Hoosick Falls, N. Y. 

DCCXX 

720 FRANCES C, daughter of (714) Sarah A. Bixby; 
m. July 7, 1897, William F. Breen, b. Mch. 31, 1871, and 
had: 

721 Frances W., b. July 25, 1898. 



BEST GENEALOGY 119 

DCCXV 

715 CHARLES A., son of (709) Catherine M. Spalding; 
m. 1st, Dec. 13, 1878, Nettie J. Watts. She d. June 17, 
1 881. Issue: 

722 Alta Maria, b. May 1, 1881; d. Aug. 3, 1881. 

M. 2nd, May 15, 1889, Emma M. Barnes, b. Dec. 29, 
1854, and had: 

723 Charles H. Spurgeon, b. Sept. 4, 1891. 

724 Norman Edward, b. May 15, 1894. 

725 Willie Conard, b. Apr. 30, 1897. 

Rev. Charles A. Spalding resides Hollisterville, Wayne 
Co., Pa. 

DCCX 

710 PETER, son of (251) Christina M. Shultus; m. 
Sept. 7, 1859, Martha Benjamin, and had: 

726 Elizabeth, b. June 20, i860; d. Feb. 18, 1879. 

727 Harriet, b. June 21, 1861; m. Edward Carey. 

728 William, b. Aug. 18, 1863; m. Grace Livingston. 

Peter Shultus resides Watervliet, N. Y. 

DCCXXVII 

727 HARRIET, daughter of (710) Peter Shultus; m. 
Oct. 31, 1883, Edward Carey, b. Feb. 24, 1862, and had: 

729 Bertha, b. Nov. 22, 1884. 

730 Edna, b. Feb. 28, 1887. 

DCCXXVIII 

728 WILLIAM, son of (710) Peter Shultus; m. Aug. 16, 
1890, Grace Livingston, and had: 



120 BEST GENEALOGY 

731 Hazel Inez, b. June, 1892; d. Oct., 1895. 

732 Grace Ada, b. Aug. 1, 1894. 

DCCXII 

712 HORACE, son of (251) Christina M. Shultus; m. 
Jan. 19, 1 86 1, Lillian Orcott, and had: 

733 Edward, b. Sept. 13, 1863; m. Oct. 22, 1885, 

Sarah Graham. No issue. Resides Utica, 
N. Y. 

734 Elizabeth, b. July 29, 1876; m. Aug. 31, 1898, 

Willard Comstock. No issue. Resides Utica. 

Horace Shultus resides No. 155 Blandina St., Utica, N. Y. 

CCLII 

252 PETER, son of (76) Catherine Becker; m. June 7, 
1834, Harriet Acly, b. Feb. 17, 1814; d. Oct. 9, 1891. 
Issue : 

735 Thomas, b. May i, 1835; d. Sept. 13, 1835. 

736 Crawford, b. Aug. 3, 1836; m. 1st, Elizabeth 

Whiting; m. 2nd, Gertrude Statts; d. May 5, 
1892. 

DCCXXXVI 

736 CRAWFORD, son of (252) Peter Becker; m. 1st, 
Feb. 14, 1863, Elizabeth Whiting, b. Dec. 13, 1843; d. 
Feb. 23, 1879. Issue: 

737 Harriet, b. May 4, 1864; m. Frederick Hallen- 

beck. 

738 William J., b. Jan. 14, 1871. 

M. 2nd, Sept. 30, 1880, Gertrude Statts, 
b. Dec. 3, 1845. No issue. 



BEST GENEALOGY 121 

DCCXXXVII 

737 HARRIET, daughter of (736) Crawford Becker; 
m. Feb. 27, 1889, Frederick Hallenbeck, and had: 

739 Edith, b. Aug. 14, 1891. 

Frederick Hallenbeck resides Greendale, Col. Co., N. Y. 

CCLIII 

253 CATHERINE, daughter of (76) Catherine Becker; 
m. Nov. 11, 1822, Abraham Van Hoevenburg, and had: 

740 

74i 
742 

Abraham Van Hoevenburg resides somewhere in Wis- 
consin. Relatives have lost track of him. I am told 
that he had three children, but have been unable to obtain 
any trace of them. 

CCLV 

255 CHENEY, son of (76) Catherine Ames; m. Mch. 
3, 1838, Jane Cole, b. Mch. 29, 1821, and had: 

743 Oscar, b. Aug. 11, 1839; m. Jennie L. Serrine; 

d. Feb. 16, 1883. 

744 Harriet, b. Apr. 13, 1842; m. May 8, 1889, 

John Journeay. No issue. 

745 Melissa, b. Oct. 1, 1843; m. Sept. 26, 1882, 

Joseph Kay. No issue. 

746 Orrin, b. Nov. 18, 1845; d. Mch. 23, 1847. 

747 Matilda, b. Apr. 2, 1848; m. Emery Freer. 

748 Alice, b. Mch. 24, 1850; m. Dec. 18, 1879, John 

Griffiths. No issue. 



122 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCCXLIII 

743 OSCAR, son of (255) Cheney Ames; m. Aug. 6, 
1862, Jennie L. Serrine. Issue: 

749 Cheney, b. Aug., 1865; d. Aug., 1883. 

750 Jennie E., b. Mch. 28, 1868; m. Andrew Ter- 

pening. 

751 Addie, b. Oct. 5, 1870; m. Elly Z. Parker. 

752 Edith, b. May, 1875. 

753 Harry, b. Nov. 14, 1877. 

754 Frank, b. Dec, 1878. 

755 Oscar, b. 

Oscar Ames resides Esopus, N. Y. 
DCCL 

750 JENNIE E., daughter of (743) Oscar Ames; m. 
May 4, 1889, Andrew Terpening, b. Mch. 19, 1866, and had: 

756 Grace A., b. Oct. 16, 1890. 

757 Grover C, b. Oct. 23, 1892. 

758 Harry H., b. May 7, 1895. 

759 Idella May, b. Dec. 8, 1897. 

760 Edna Bell, b. Oct. 6, 1899. 

DCCLI 

751 ADDIE, daughter of (743) Oscar Ames; m. Dec. 4, 
1889, Elly Z. Parker, and had: 

761 Jennie, b. Aug. 7, 1890. 
Elly Z. Parker resides Esopus, N. Y. 

DCCXLVII 

747 MATILDA, daughter of (255) Cheney Ames; m. 
Sept. 28, 1869, Emery Freer. Resides Esopus. Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 123 

762 Tilly A., b. Mch. 10, 1871. 

763 Fred., b. May 8, 1875. 

764 Hattie, b. Sept. 10, 1878. 

765 Grace, b. Mch. 15, 1881. 

766 Hasbruck, b. Dec. 26, 1883. 

767 Viva L., b. Nov. 15, 1890. 

CCLVI 

256 MALINDA, daughter of (76) Catherine Ames; m. 
1837, John Hogle, and had: 

768 Augusta, b. Apr. 8, 1842; m. Rev. David 

Phillips. 

769 Almina, b. Feb. 18, 1844; d. Apr. 14,1844. 

DCCLXVIII 

768 AUGUSTA, daughter of (256) Malinda Ames; m. 
Apr. 16, 1868, Rev. David Phillips, and had: 

770 Fred. M., b. May 23, 1869; m. June 12, 1895, 

Nellie Saunders. Resides Newburgh. No 
issue. 

771 Augusta M., b. Aug. 29, 1872. 

772 David H., b. May 12, 1874; m. Georgia Wolcott. 

773 Jennie, b. May 16, 1876; m. Oct. 6, 1897, 

Charles H. Decker. Resides Germantown. 
No issue. 

DCCLXXII 

772 DAVID H., son of (768) Augusta Phillips; m. 
June 30, 1895, Georgia Wolcott. Issue: 

774 William, b. Oct. 5, 1896. 

775 Clarence, b. Oct. 11, 1897. 

776 Jennie Mae, b. Apr. 2, 1899. 

David H. Phillips resides Red Hook, N. Y. 



124 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCLVIII 

258 NORMAN C, son of (76) Catherine Ames; m. 
Nov. 11, 1846, Catherine Moore, b. Aug. 5, 1828. Mar. 
by Rev. Augustus Wacherhagen. Issue: 

777 Clarence, b. Mch. 28, 1848; m. Alida Clum. 

778 Norman E., b. July 11, 1850; m. Lillie Queen. 

779 Charles H., b. Aug. 11, 1852; d. Apr. 28, 1884. 

780 Mary C, b. May 25, 1857; m - Robert Schermer- 

horn. 

781 Carry E., b. Dec. 6, i860; m. Dec. 25, 1897, 

Gilbert Terry. Resides Madalin. No issue. 

782 Frank W., b. July 16, 1863 ; m. Lizzie E. Miller. 

783 Matilda, b. Aug. 15, 1867; m. Nov. 27, 1890, 

Harry Champlain. Resides Madalin. No 
issue. 

784 Hattie May, b. May 17, 1876. 

DCCLXXVII 

777 CLARENCE, son of (258) Norman C. Ames; m. 
Dec. 5, 1878, Alida Clum, and had: 

785 Florence, b. Sept. 10, 1879; d. Aug. 5, 1880. 

786 Margaret Pearl, b. Aug. 5, 1887; d. Mch. 11, 

1900. 

DCCLXXVIII 

778 NORMAN E., son of (258) Norman C. Ames; m. 
June 27, 1876, Lillie Queen, and had: 

787 Daniel E., b. Apr. 8, 1879. 

788 Mary E., b. Sept. 25, 1880. 

789 Norman C., ) . . ~ QQ 

' , _ r twins, b. Oct. 26, 1882. 

790 Lillie J., J 

791 Charles M., b. Dec. 11, 1884. 

792 Carrie T., b. Sept. 25, 1886. 



BEST GENEALOGY 125 



793 Alice M., b. June 1 8, i; 

794 Florence, b. Feb. i, 1892. 

795 Theodore O., b. Oct. 29, 1893. 

I was informed, in 1900, that three of the children of 
Norman E. Ames had died, and that none were married. 
Resides Saugerties, N. Y. 

DCCLXXX 

780 MARY C, daughter of (258) Norman C. Ames; 
m. Nov. 26, 1885, Robert Schermerhorn, b. Aug. 28, 1857; 
d. May 16, 1896. Issue: 

796 George, b. July 16, 1888; d. Sept. 28, 1888. 

DCCLXXXII 

782 FRANK W., son of (258) Norman C. Ames; m. 
Oct. 15, 1890, Lizzie E. Miller, and had: 

797 Mildred Isabel, b. Mch. 26, 1893. 

798 Edna Catherine, b. Dec. 27, 1895. 

Frank W. Ames resides Clifton Park, N. J. 

CCLIX 

259 ALIDA, daughter of (76) Catherine Ames; m. 
184?, Stephen Varley, and had: 

799 Bernard, b. Jan. 10, 1846. 

800 Isabella, b. ; m. June, i860, Albert 

Lane. Resides Troy, N. Y. No issue. 

801 Matilda, b. d. y. 

802 Alida, b. d. y. 

803 Merwin, b. d. y. 

Stephen Varley resided at Vineland, N. J. 



126 BEST GENEALOGY 

CCLX 

260 MARY, daughter of (77) Peter I. Best; m. 
1826, John Dakin, b. May 11, 1799; d. Oct. 3, 1875. Both 
buried Kinderhook, N. Y. Issue: 

804 Levi, b. Feb. 25, 1827; m. (310) Delia Eliza 

Best, daughter of (84) Jeremiah J. Best and 
Phebe Kipp; d. Mch. 17, 1900. 

805 Martha Maria, b. Oct. 9, 1829; m. (293) John 

J. Best, son of (82) Abraham Best and Harriet 
Van Deusen. 

806 Caroline Phebe, b. June 12, 1832; m. Jacob 

P. Packman; d. July 25, 1896. 

807 Elizabeth Ann, b. Feb. 9, 1838; d. Mch. 9, 1839. 

DCCCIV 

804 LEVI, son of (260) Mary Dakin; m. at Claverack, 
Sept. 13, 1853, (310) Delia Eliza Best, daughter of (84) 
Jeremiah J. Best and Phebe Kipp. Issue: 

808 Mary E., b. Aug. 6, 1854; m. Smith B. Van 

Hoesen. 

809 Aretha A., b. Sept. 2, 1857 ; m. Nicholas Raeder. 

810 Harriet G., b. Dec. 7, 1864; m. Chester A. Drew. 

811 Caroline Phebe, b. May 30, 1868; d. Mch. 20, 

1870. 

DCCCV 

805 MARTHA MARIA, daughter of (260) Mary Dakin; 
m. Nov. 13, 1850, (293) John J. Best, son of (82) Abraham 
Best and Harriet Van Deusen. Issue: 

812 Frank D., b. May 6, 1854; m. Nov. 24, 1875, 

Catherine Edwards, b. Jan. 15, 1857; re- 
sides Fort Plain, N. Y. No issue. He d. 
Apr. 5, 1886. 

Mrs. Martha M. Best resides Round Lake, N. Y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 127 

DCCCVI 

806 CAROLINE PHEBE, daughter of (260) Mary 
Dakin; m. Oct. 5, 1853, Jacob P. Packman, b. Dec. 1, 
1823; d. Feb. 12, 1880. Both buried at Valatie, N. Y. 
Issue : 

813 Charles E., b. Jan. 1, 1857; m. Anna De Myer. 

814 Mary E., b. Jan. 18, 1867; m. Jan. 24, 1894, 

Frank B. Smith, b. Oct. 3, 1870. No issue. 
Resides South Schodack, N. Y. 

DCCCXIII 

813 Charles E., son of (806) Caroline P. Packman; 
m. Dec. 4, 1878, Anna De Myer, daughter of Albert De 
Myer, b. Dec. 12, 1859, and had: 

815 Caroline M., b. Aug. 8, 1880. 

816 J. Jay, b. Apr. 27, 1885. 

DCCCVIII 

808 MARY E., daughter of (804) Levi Dakin; m. 
Oct. 4, 1882, Smith B. Van Hoesen, b. Feb. 8, 1857. Re- 
sides Niverville. Issue: 

817 Mabel Delia, b. Aug. 6, 1883. 

818 Howard Levi, b. Jan. 26, 1887. 

DCCCIX 

809 ARETHA A., daughter of (804) Levi Dakin; m. 
Nov. 17, 1875, Nicholas Raeder, b. Dec. 29, 1847. Resides 
Niverville. Issue: 

819 Le Roy Dakin, b. Dec. 30, 1856; m. Apr. 16, 

1900, Elizabeth Anna Bradley. Resides White 
Plains, N. Y. 



128 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCCCX 

810 HARRIET G., daughter of (804) Levi Dakin; m. 
Dec. 27, 1892, Chester A. Drew, b. Mch. 12, 1867; d. Jan. 
19, 1897. Widow resides Niverville. Issue: 

820 Warren S., b. July 5, 1895; d. Dec. 25, 1895. 

CCLXII 

262 JOHN MESICK, son of (77) Peter I. Best; m. 
1835, at Claverack, Alida Vosburgh, daughter of Samuel 
Vosburgh and Sarah Herder, b. Feb. 2, 181 2; d. Mch. 
30, 1867. Both buried at Kinderhook. Issue: 

821 Mary Mesick, b. Jan. 16, 1836; m. ist, Sept. 

3, 1861, Joseph W. Smith, M.D., b. May 3, 
1834; d. Apr. 2i, 1864; m. 2nd, Nov. 20, 1866, 
Edward Grove Miner, b. 1833; d. June 

13, 1872. No issue. Buried at Kinderhook. 
She d. July 14, 1868. 
821a Catherine Alida, b. Aug. 27, 1837; d. Mch. 
25, 1858. Single. 

CCLXIII 

263 EPHRAIM PETER, son of (77) Peter I. Best; m. 
1840, Sophia Vosburgh, daughter of Samuel Vosburgh, 
and a sister of Alida, who m. (262) John M. Best, b. Apr. 
11, 1814; d. Oct. 29, 1883. Both bur. Kinderhook. Issue: 

822 Sarah Elizabeth, b. June 3, 1841; m. George 

E. Benson, M.D. 

823 John, b. June 20, 1843; d. Nov. 14, 1849. 

824 Peter I., b. Dec. 27, 1845; m. Martha O. 

Merwin; d. 1890. 

825 Charles Elmore, b. Nov. 28, 1852; d. Sept. 

29, 1861. 



BEST GENEALOGY 129 

Ephraim P. Best spent his boyhood days on a large farm, 
situate about one quarter of a mile south of the "Widow 
Mary Livingston " place in the Town of Livingston. When 
about ten years of age his father purchased the Peter Bain 
farm in Klinekill, which was on the road leading from 
Valatie to Chatham. After living here a few years his 
father purchased a farm of nearly four hundred acres of 
land situate about one mile north of the village of Kinder- 
hook, where he resided until his death, in 1846, in his 
seventieth year. The subject of our sketch married here, 
in 1840, Sophia Vosburgh, and had, as a wedding present 
from his father, six slaves, which he refused to accept. 
Owing to his father's declining health, which shortly 
resulted in his death, he assumed control of the farm, 
and the varied interests of his father which devolved upon 
him. In 1870, he turned over the farm to his son, (824) 
Peter I., and moved to Kinderhook, where he spent his 
remaining years in looking after his farm investments. 
He contributed largely of his means and strength to the 
upbuilding of the community and church in which he 
was interested. He held a lease, in consideration of one 
hundred dollars, paid to the Minister, Elders, and Deacons 
of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kinderhook, 
by him, to the full " enjoyment and use, for himself, his 
heirs and assigns, of one half of pew, No. 30, in the Brick 
Church, owned by the said Minister, Elders and Deacons, 
situate in the Village of Kinderhook, so long as the said 
Brick Church shall remain in the occupation and for the 
use of the said Minister, Elders and Deacons, " subject, 
however, to assessments for repairs, salary, and an annual 
rent of ten per cent, on the valuation of said pew, which 
may be increased at will to equalize the value of the pew; 
also subject to current expenses, the aggregate sum of 
which the Pew-owners shall from time to time in writing 
assent to. In case of forfeit for non-payment of rent or 
assessments, after six months the pew may be sold at 



130 BEST GENEALOGY 

auction, upon due notice posted on the front door of the 
Church. This certificate is dated the 23rd day of Oct., 
185 1, and given under the hand of the minister and the 
corporate seal of the Church. This church organization 
is one of the oldest in the State, dating prior to 1685, at 
which time, in the records of Albany, mention is first 
made of sending material (nails) for repairs to the Church 
at Kinderhook (see Van Deusen Genealogy, p. 15). 
As forms, like customs, change but slightly through the 
years, in small communities, this form or a similar one for 
the sale and renting of pews may have been employed 
very much earlier, even dating back to the organization 
of the Church. A very entertaining history of this old 
Dutch Church, which should be in every library, has been 
written by the Rev. Dr. E. A. Collier, for nearly half a 
century pastor of the congregation. A recent book of local 
history deplores the extravagance of modern entertain- 
ments. With flying machines and motor cars " de earth 
do move"; and the simple pastimes of our forefathers, in 
which dancing and "general training" on the "commons" 
were the chief amusements, and gingerbread and hard 
cider the rewards for proficiency, pale, indeed, to insig- 
nificance. Of these "training bands" there was one at 
Kinderhook, known as the "Columbia Blues," at- 
tached to the 56th Regiment, N. Y. S. Infantry, and 
captained by John W. Pitts, who certified, under date of 
Oct. 19, 1827, in a time-worn slip of paper, now in my 
possession, that Ephraim P. Best (then 17 years of age) 
had regularly enlisted, was completely equipped and 
uniformed, and was then a member of the company of 
Light Infantry under his command. The old Homestead, 
at which the author has spent many a delightful hour, 
with its vast extent of rolling country and primeval forests, 
about the last to feel the touch of the woodman's ruthless 
axe, is beautifully situated in a grove of ancient pines. The 
house, set back some distance from the road, is equipped 



BEST GENEALOGY 131 

with modern and necessary appliances usually desired in a 
comfortable country home of the period. It is now occupied 
by the widow and the four children of (824) Peter I. Best, 
who, at "Besthurst," dispense charming hospitality to 
their many friends. 

The obituary of Ephraim P. Best, composed by his 
friend, " G. S. C," is as follows : " By the decease of Ephraim 
P. Best, Feb. 9, 1884, at the advanced age of seventy-four 
years, the community loses one of its most widely known 
citizens. 

" As all who knew him will remember, he was unpre- 
tending in dress, frank in speech, with no dissembling, 
sagacious, self-reliant, ever attentive to the duty in hand, 
active to the last, wise in counsel, and a steadfast friend. 

" At his decease he was one of the very oldest in mem- 
bership of the Reformed Church of this village (Kinder- 
hook) . For many years he was a director of the National 
Bank of Kinderhook. In the relations of life he was 
distinguished for great practical common sense, sound 
judgment, and conservative action. Few were admitted 
unreservedly to his confidence, but in those who enjoyed 
that confidence he reposed implicit trust. His recollections 
of past events were exceedingly accurate, his knowledge 
of human nature extensive, and his observations on men 
and affairs shrewd, wise, and seasoned with a quaint humor 
peculiarly his own. The secret of his success was his 
practicality, directness in doing or dealing, and thorough 
devotedness to the work in hand. In all business trans- 
actions he was precise, methodical, and attentive to minutest 
details; yet, under rather an austere exterior, he carried a 
kindly heart, in manifold ways doing innumerable quiet 
and unsuspected acts of generosity and kindness. He 
was ever ready to assist those who seemed willing to help 
themselves. He scorned all hypocrisy, cant, and sham. 
He valued men as they were and not as they professed to 
be. He was a man of great force of will, clear and strong 



132 BEST GENEALOGY 

convictions, inflexible honesty, and incorruptible integrity. 
Perhaps none, now living in this vicinity, preserved the 
republican simplicity of life of generations ago so fully as 
he. He was most happy amid scenes of rural peace and 
quietness. His beautiful farm he loved with almost 
paternal fondness; its broad acres of meadow and plow- 
land; its forests of primeval growth; almost as untouched 
as in his father's day of sixty years ago, were his unceasing 
pride and delight, where he seemed to reverently commune 
with nature, or with some brooding spirit of restful peace 
and calm. 

" Clinging indeed to life, he was nevertheless ready for 
the summons: 'The Master calleth thee.' With indescrib- 
able pathos, shortly before his decease, in response to a 
greeting, he said ' I am at the lowest ebb,' and now he too 
' has gone out with the tide.' Farewell, true-hearted and 
constant friend." 

DCCCXXII 

822 SARAH ELIZABETH, daughter of (263) Ephraim 
P. Best; m. June 3, 1863, George Ellsworth Benson, M.D., 
b. May 7, 1829; d. May 30, 1896, and had: 

826 Edward Ellsworth, b. Sept. 19, 1864. 

827 Charles Best, b. July n, 1866; m. Maude S. 

Mesick. 

George E. Benson was born at Greenwich, Washington 
Co., N. Y., the third child of Joseph and Maria (Miller) 
Benson. After acquiring a public school education in his 
native town, he entered the Albany Academy, which, after 
two years, he left to take a course at the Albany Medical, 
from which he later graduated. After acquiring an educa- 
tion, largely through his own efforts, as his parents were 
unable to assist him, financially, to any extent, he left home 
with a horse and carriage, a small sum of money, and a 




GEORGE E. BENSON, M.D. 



BEST GENEALOGY 133 

bountiful supply of good wishes from his boyhood friends. 
He opened an office at Valatie, N. Y., where he married, 
and practised his profession for eighteen years. Seeking a 
larger field and surcease from the long drives, necessitated 
by country practice, which called him from one end of 
the county to the other, and made him a familiar figure to 
the country side when on horseback, or seated in a tall two- 
wheeled gig with his saddle bags strapped up behind, he 
moved to Hudson, N. Y., where he practised medicine 
and surgery for seventeen years, with success, when he sold 
his equipment and practice to Dr. O. H. Bradley, who had 
been a student in his office, and devoted himself to travel 
and congenial pursuits with such strength as remained to 
him. He died at his home in Hudson, after a protracted 
and painful illness, May 30, 1896, and is interred in Cedar 
Park Cemetery. His indomitable will and perseverance 
came to him, in nature's course, from a long line of fighting 
stock. His father was in the War of 181 2, enlisting as a 
drummer boy, at the age of 12, and serving at Clinton and 
other points on the border. His grandfather, Bildad, served 
in the Revolutionary War, as corporal in the Albany 
County Militia, 13th Regt., Col. John McCrea. "N. Y. in 
the Revo.," p. 122. His great-grandfather, Jacob, fought 
with Gen. Stark, at the battle of Saratoga, and in the distri- 
bution of Bounty Rights, he was assigned to the 13th Regt., 
Albany County Militia, in a Co. captained by Peter Van 
Vort, and served through the war. " N. Y. in the Revo.," 
p. 234. His mother was born in the town of Claverack, 
and her ancestors participated in the War of Independence. 
The subject of our sketch traces his descent to an ancestor 
who came from England, and settled at Providence, R. I., 
about 1650, one of whose descendants fought in King 
Philip's War. 

The obituary of Dr. George E. Benson, published in a 
local paper, has been added to and changed in a few minor 
particulars, to elucidate the text, but is quoted as though 



134 BEST GENEALOGY 

such changes had not been made : " Sunday morning the 
sad news was made known that late Saturday night the 
venerable and widely beloved Dr. George E. Benson had 
passed away at his residence, No. 306 Warren Street. 

" Dr. Benson, who was in his 68th year, was a graduate 
of the Albany Medical College, preparing for the course 
under the celebrated practitioners and surgeons, Drs. 
March and Armsby, of Albany. On leaving college he 
practised in Valatie, for eighteen years, from which place 
he came to Hudson to take the place of the well known and 
skillful surgeon, Dr. Pitcher. After coming to Hudson he 
made several extended European tours in which he rein- 
forced his education and experience by study in hospitals 
and clinics of London, Paris, and Dresden; and the specialty 
for which he fitted himself so thoroughly, brought him, 
ultimately, a surgical practice which extended over Colum- 
bia and several of the adjacent counties. The Doctor's 
modesty kept him from mingling to any great extent in 
society; but there are hundreds of homes and thousands of 
hearts in which the memory of the humane and tender 
hearted gentleman and the sympathetic and skillful physi- 
cian will be cherished most lovingly. The Doctor had little 
time for the discharge of public duties, the only office he 
ever held being that of Health Officer for the city of Hudson; 
but he had time to devote to the advancement of his pro- 
fession, and was a prominent member of the Columbia 
County Medical Society, and its President in 1882; and a 
life member of the State Medical Society before whose 
members he frequently appeared with interesting cases 
for their edification. Upon the incorporation of the Hud- 
son City Hospital, March 7, 1889, he was chosen a member 
of the first Board of Trustees, and was elected its first 
President, at a meeting of the Board, held December 17, 
1889. Seven years ago, on account of failing health, he 
retired from active practice; and has, up to within a few 
weeks ago, enjoyed perfectly his well earned immunity 



BEST GENEALOGY 135 

from the cares of his thirty years' toil in noble but exhaust- 
ing labor." 

As the author will probably never undertake another 
work of this character, and intends to distribute this book, 
which will be very limited in number, in the city and 
county where Dr. Benson labored for many years, it has 
been thought, not inappropriate, but of added interest, 
to insert herein his photograph, which was taken before 
his marriage, and is, indeed, the only one possessed by his 
family, but which portrays a fair resemblance. 

DCCCXXIV 

824 PETER I., son of (263) Ephraim P. Best; m. Jan. 
26, 1870, Martha O. Merwin, and had: 

828 Lillian Maria, b. ; m. Isaac V. A. Waite. 

829 Bernie E., b. Dec. 21, 1870; d. Aug. 15, 1871. 

830 Viola, b. Dec. 29, 1877; d. Apr. 30, 1878. 

831 Burdella, 

832 Celestia, 

833 Ernest, 

834 Daisy, 

DCCCXXVIII 

828 LILLIAN MARIA, daughter of (824) Peter I. 
Best; m. Dec. 20, 1893, Isaac Van Allen Waite, and had: 

835 Horace, 

836 Harold, 

837 Lillian, 

838 Margaret, 

839 William, 

Resides St. Louis, Mo. 



136 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCCCXXVII 

827 CHARLES BEST, son of (822) Sarah E. Benson; 
m. Oct. 9, 1901, Maude S. Mesick, b. Aug. 13, 1880. Issue: 

840 Charles Best, b. Apr. 11, 1903. 

841 John Mesick, b. Aug. 10, 1905. 

Following the practice which I find is almost universal — 
and I would not deviate therefrom — in books of this kind, 
as on the stage, where the author or playwright appears 
therein, it is now in order and on the card that the author, 
after introducing, seriatim, with fulsome, but I trust 
truthful, words and phrases, the various personages in this 
compilation, should speak with modesty somewhat of 
himself. It may be taken for granted that every one, with 
some leisure, has a hobby, or should have; with some it 
is the pursuit of sport or animals, the buying of paintings 
and fine bindings; with others less elevating pastimes. 
Genealogical research has interested me for many years, 
and, like most diversions, has produced little profit, but 
much pleasure. In the search for data I have found it 
necessary to ally myself with a number of societies, having 
the same objects in view, The New York Genealogical and 
Biographical Society, The New York Historical Society, 
and others with like aims. With this brief apology for 
inflicting another genealogical work upon the innocent 
but long suffering public, let us pray: " Requiescat in pace" 
upon the dusty shelves. 

CCLXV 

265 HARMON, son of (78) Henry J. Best; m. Nov. 17, 
1836, Sarah Eleanor Groat, at Centreville, by Rev. J. 
Berger. She was b. Apr. 8, 1815; d. June 4, 1865. Issue: 

842 Lysander T., b. Mch. 8, 1840; m. Deborah W. 

Seaman; d. Mch. 1, 1891. 




CHARLES B. BENSON 



BEST GENEALOGY 137 

Harmon Best, in 1835, was Town Clerk of the Town of 
Livingston; shortly afterwards moving to Mellenville, 
where he became known as one of the pioneer merchants 
of that village, and was chosen Postmaster in 1840. 

DCCCXLII 

842 LYSANDER T., son of (265) Harmon Best; m. 
Mch. 8, 1863, Deborah W. Seaman, b. Aug. 5, 1840, and 
had: 

843 Sarah E., b. June 15, 1865; m. Sol. Sayles; d. 

Jan. 3, 1900. 

844 Clara T., b. June 8, 1872; d. Jan 27, 1876. 

845 Walter M., b. Jan. 27, 1875. Resides No. 589^ 

Larimore St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

DCCCXLIII 

843 SARAH E., daughter of (842) Lysander T. Best; 
m. June 1, 1887, Sol. Sayles. Issue: 

846 Sol. B., b. Apr. 6, 1888. 

CCLXVI 

266 JOHN, son of (78) Henry J. Best; m. 1841, 

Ann Maria Cooper, and had: 

847 Norman, b. Sept. 4, 1842; m. Annette Waterman. 

848 Mary C, b. Feb. 14, 1844; m. (1109) Jeremiah I. 

Best, son of (311) Peter K. Best and Jane 
Esselstyn. 

849 Henry J., b. Oct. 20, 1845. Single. 

John Best resided at Best, Rens. Co., N. Y. 



138 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCCCXLVII 

847 NORMAN, son of (266) John Best; m. Nov. 17, 
1869, Annette Waterman, b. June 14, 1847; d. Mch. 5, 
1877. Issue: 

850 Charles A., b. Sept. 29, 1870. 

851 Jenny E., b. Sept. 16, 1871; m. Sept. 12, 1894, 

Elbert Visscher; d. Aug. 4, 1895. No issue. 

852 Merritt E., b. Jan. 24, 1876. 

853 Lillian A., b. Mch. 5, 1877; m. John Osterhout, 

M.D. 

Norman Best resides Watervliet, N. Y. 

DCCCXLVIII 

848 MARY C, daughter of (266) John Best; m. Dec. 
6, 1866, (1109) Jeremiah I. Best, son of (311) Peter K. 
Best, and had: 

854 Anna M., b. Jan. 6, 1869; m. Seward P. Cipperly. 

855 Howard I., b. Mch. 1, 1871. 

856 Grace, b. Dec. 23, 1876; d. Jan. 20, 1877. 

857 Laura M., b. May 17, 1880. 

858 Everett E., b. Sept. 25, 1882. 

Jeremiah Best resides Brookview, Rens. Co., N. Y. 

DCCCLIII 

853 LILLIAN A., daughter of (847) Norman Best; 
m. Nov. 16, 1898, John Osterhout, M.D., b. Nov. 3, 1875, 
and had: 

859 Ira J., b. Aug. 3, 1899. 

Dr. Osterhout resides at Gilsum, New Hampshire. 



BEST GENEALOGY 139 

DCCCLIV 

854 ANNA M., daughter of (848) Mary C. Best; m. 
Apr. 24, 1895, Seward P. Cipperly. Issue: 

860 Clara A., b. May 20, 1897. 

Seward P. Cipperly resides at Brunswick, Rens. Co., N. Y. 

CCLXVII 

267 SARAH M., daughter of (78) Henry J. Best; m. 
Apr. 19, 1836, John C. Karner, b. Jan. 6, 1805; d. Feb. 19, 
1893. Issue: 

861 Mary, b. Aug. 21, 1837. 

862 John H., b. Sept. 16, 1841; d. June 15, 1842. 

863 Cornelia, b. July 25, 1843; d. Apr. 10, 1890. 

864 Sarah C, b. Jan. 16, 1849; d. Apr. 27, 1850. 

John C. Karner resided at Karners, Rens. Co., N. Y. The 
place derived its name from him. 

CCLXVIII 

268 ELEANOR C, daughter of (78) Henry J. Best; 
m. June, 1842, Philip J. Lown, b. Jan. 27, 1818, and had: 

865 David H., b. Mch. 4, 1843. 

866 Eureatha D., b. Mch. 1, 1844. 

867 Sarah M., b. Feb. 12, 1846. 

868 Marcus M., b. Aug. 24, 1850; m. May Traver. 

Philip J. Lown resided at West Sand Lake, Rens. Co. 

DCCCLXVIII 

868 MARCUS M., son of (268) Eleanor C. Lown; m. 
Jan. 19, 1878, May Traver, b. Mch. 9, 1853. Issue: 



140 BEST GENEALOGY 

869 Philip A., b. Nov. 16, 1878. 

870 Elizabeth E., b. Aug. 14, 1892. 

Dr. M. M. Lown resides Rhinebeck, N. Y. 

CCLXIX 

269 JACOB H., son of (78) Henry J. Best; m. ist, 
June 20, 1842, Elizabeth Kimball, b. Jan. 1, 1823, d. Apr. 
14, 1863; and had: 

871 Wilson I., b. Mch. 27, 1852. Single. Resides 

N. Y. City. 

872 Elizabeth M., b. Oct. 25, 1854. Resides No. 

244 Warren St., Boston, Mass. 

873 John J., b. Apr. 28, i860. Resides Boston, 

Mass. 

M. 2nd, Catherine Snyder, and had: 

874 Edward De Forest, 1870; m. 

M. 3rd, Apr. 1878, Frances Amanda Reid, and had: 

875 Carolyn, b. May 16, 1879. 

876 Frederick, b. Jan. 16, 1881. 

877 Paul, b. Oct. 2, 1882. 

Jacob H. Best was living, in 1900, at Meridian, Miss. 

DCCCLXXIV 

874 EDWARD DE FOREST, son of (269) Jacob H. 
Best; m. a San Francisco lady, and resides in California. 
Had two sons whose names, after diligent inquiry, I have 
been unable to obtain: 

878 
879 



BEST GENEALOGY 141 

CCLXX 

270 MARGARET CHRISTINA, daughter of (80) 
Ephraim Best; m. Sept. 20, 1832, Edward Isaac Eno, son 
of Steven Eno, of Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y., b. Dec. 
29, 1806, and had: 

880 Augusta, b. ; m. Edward Taylor; d. 

Dec. 16, 1889. No issue. 

881 Frank, b. ; d. 

882 Edward Best, b. ; m. Matilda Bates; d. 

Jan. 2, 1889. 

883 Henry, b. ; killed in the Civil War. 

Edward I. Eno, who was only eight months old when 
his mother died, when a young man moved to Kinderhook, 
N. Y., where he married. He was a merchant for some 
years in Illinois. Finally settled in St. Louis, Missouri, 
where he died. All of his sons served in the Civil War. 
Henry died in the war. Edward B. and Frank both rose 
to the rank of Major, in the Missouri State Militia. Edward 
B. was commissioned Major May 8, 1862, in the 8th Regt. 
of cavalry, to rank from said date. 

DCCCLXXXII 

882 EDWARD BEST, son of (270) Margaret C. Eno; 
m. Matilda Bates, daughter of Atty. Genl. Bates, of 

Missouri. Widow resides at No. 3874 Washington Ave., 
St. Louis, Mo. Issue: 

884 Christina, b. May 6, 1870; m. George B. Comp- 

ton. 

885 Edward Bates, b. July 3, 1871. 

886 Julia Coalter, b. Dec. 21, 1878. 

887 Matilda Bates, b. May 19, 1879. 



142 BEST GENEALOGY 

Edward B. Eno became prominent in State and national 
affairs. He rose to the rank of Major in the Civil War; 
served on President Lincoln's Staff; and became Governor 
of Missouri. 

DCCCLXXXIV 

884 CHRISTINA, daughter of (882) Edward B. Eno; 
m. Nov. 7, 1893, George Britton Compton. Resides No. 6 
West 102nd St., N. Y. City. Issue: 

888 Coalter Bates, b. June 27, 1895. 

889 Eno, b. Feb. 23, 1898. 

CCLXXI 

271 ELI, son of (80) Ephraim Best; m. Sept. 18, 1834, 
Catherine Harder, b. May 18, 18 16. Both bur. Kinderhook. 
Issue : 

890 Mary Elizabeth, b. Feb. 18, 1836; m. William 

T. King. 

891 Anna Catherine, b. Jan. 8, 1838; m. 1st, 

Isaac E. Sharp; m. 2nd, George Feries; m. 3rd, 
George Davenport. 

892 John Harder, b. July 11, 1841; m. Lydia Bo- 

right. 

893 Richard James, b. July 18, 1843; m - Mary 

O. Butler. 

894 Edward Payson, b. Mch. 30, 1845; m. Mary E. 

Wait. 

895 Jenny Lee, b. Sept. 3, 1850; m. Theodore Knapp. 

DCCCXC 

890 MARY ELIZABETH, daughter of (271) Eli Best; 
m. Jan. 6, 1858, William T. King, b. Jan. 3, 1827; d. Dec. 
30, 1897. Resides Saratoga, Cal. Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 143 

896 Charles A., b. Oct. 3, 1858; m. Lillian McAl- 

lister. 

897 Alice B.,b. June 12, 1862; m. William H. Blank. 

898 Anna S., b. Apr. 11, 1864; m. Frank E. Potter. 

DCCCXCVI 

896 CHARLES A., son of (890) Mary E. King; m. 
Aug. 10, 1898, Lillian McAllister, b. June 18, 1874. Issue: 

899 Deborah, b. May 23, 1899. 

DCCCXCVII 

897 ALICE B., daughter of (890) Mary E. King; m. 
July 1893, William H. Blank, b. June 20, 1861, and had: 

900 Clarence H., b. Mch. 17, 1897. 

DCCCXCVIII 

898 ANNA S., daughter of (890) Mary E. King; m. 
Sept. 21, 1887, Frank E. Potter, b. Aug. 23, 1864. Issue: 

901 Alice W., b. Mch. 17, 1897. 

DCCCXCI 

891 ANNA CATHERINE, daughter of (271) Eli Best; 
m. 1st, Apr. 16, 1861, Isaac E. Sharp, b. Mch. 14, 1827, 
d. Aug., 1869; and had: 

902 Carrie Best, b. Mch. 25, 1867; m. Nov. 3, 1887, 

Walter H. Belknap. Resides Hornellsville, 
N. Y. No issue. 

M. 2nd, George Feries, and had: 

903 George L., b. June 11, 1875. 

M. 3rd, George Davenport. No issue. 



144 BEST GENEALOGY 

DCCCXCII 

892 JOHN HARDER, son of (271) Eli Best; m. June 
1866, Lydia Boright and had: 

904 Leigh, b. Nov. 4, 1867; m. Oct. 18, 1899, Helen 

Eliza Sweet, b. Feb. 6, 1870. Resides No. 
170 West 171st St., N. Y. City. 

905 Frederick E., b. Nov. 21, 1869. 

906 Henry Morris, b. Jan. 4, 1874. 

907 John Tobey, b. Feb. 14, 1876. 

908 Katherine Eunice, b. Oct. 10, 1881. 

John Harder Best was a resident of Chatham, where 
his children were born, some of whom still reside there. His 
son (904) Leigh, pronounced " Lee, " acquired his education 
at the public schools of Chatham. After his graduation he 
went to New York City where he obtained a position on 
the clerical force of the New York Central Railroad, at 
the Grand Central Station. By close application and 
marked ability in the performance of his duties he soon 
came under the notice of President S. R. Callaway, who 
made him his private secretary. With the completion 
of the executive staff of the American Locomotive Com- 
pany, of which S. R. Callaway was chosen president, Leigh 
Best was elected secretary and assistant to the president. 
He was warmly urged by President Newman, the successor 
of Callaway in the Central, to retain his old position, but 
Mr. Callaway was able to offer him a broader field of action. 
He is now vice-president of the American Locomotive 
Company, one of the largest aggregations of capital in the 
country. We may point with pride to another son of old 
Columbia. 

DCCCXCIII 

893 RICHARD JAMES, son of (271) Eli Best; m. Feb. 



BEST GENEALOGY 145 

10, 1875, Mary Ora Butler, b. Aug. 17, 1853. Resides No. 
75 West 34th St., Bayonne, N. J. Issue: 

909 Edythe M., b. Dec. 12, 1875; m. Frederick 

A. MacMaster. 

910 Royal G., b. Aug. 12, 1878. 

911 Frank E., b. Feb. 8, 1884. 

CMIX 

909 EDYTHE M., daughter of (893) Richard J. Best; 
m. Jan. 16, 1899, Frederick A. MacMaster, b. July 7, 1875. 
Resides Bayonne, N. J. Issue. 

912 Wallace B., b. Oct. 2, 1899; d. Mch. 2, 1900. 

DCCCXCIV 

894 EDWARD PAYSON, son of (271) Eli Best; m. 
Sept. 9, 1874, Mary Emma Wait, and had: 

913 j Nellie Emma, b.Dec.9, 1875; d.Dec. 24, 1881. 

914 ( Edward Leon, b. Dec. 9, 1875. 

915 George Wait, b. Feb. 22, 1877. 

DCCCXCV 

895 JENNY LEE, daughter of (271) Eli Best; m. Jan. 
3, 1872, Theodore Knapp, b. Sept 3, 1837; d. May 17, 1898. 
Resides Chatham, N. Y. Issue: 

916 Nellie Emma, b. Aug. 13, 1873. 

CCLXXII 

272 JAMES, son of (80) Ephraim Best; m. 1852, 

Mary A. Chubb. Bur. Chatham, N. Y. Issue: 

917 Arthur James, b. Aug. 26, 1854; m. Helen M. 

Stearns; d. Oct. 11, 1894. 



146 BEST GENEALOGY 

918 Emma Louise, b. Apr. 11, 1857; m. Henry D. 

Haven. 

919 George Bethune, b. Dec. 25, 1859; m. Kate 

L. Dana. 

920 James B., b. Mch. 31, 1864; m. Gertrude Delprat. 

James Best spent his early years in the Town of Johns- 
town, on his father's farm. We find in the minutes of the 
Church there that he had removed from the bounds of the 
congregation, Aug. 11, 1838, and that Peter Potts was 
elected Deacon of the Church in his stead. On Oct. 4, 1840, 
retaining his membership in the Church, he was appointed 
Delegate to attend the regular meeting of the classis to be 
held at Glenham, on the 27th inst. He had been twice 
Elder of the Church. He removed to Chatham, where he 
married, and spent the remaining years of his life. 

CMXVII 

917 ARTHUR JAMES, son of (272) James Best; m. 
Jan. 15, 1 88 1, at Chatham, Helen May Stearns. Resides 
Chatham. Issue : 

921 Furber Franklin, b. May 7, 1882. 

922 Doris W., b. Nov. 11, 1884. 

923 Agnew, b. July 19, 1894. 

CMXVIII 

918 EMMA LOUISE, daughter of (272) James Best; m. 
Feb. s, 1884, Henry Dwight Haven, b. Oct. 8, 1852. Re- 
sides Plainfield, N. J. Issue: 

924 Winifred, b. Mch. 20, 1885. 

925 Eloise, b. Dec. 29, 1887. 

926 Alice, b. Apr. 21, 1888. 



BEST GENEALOGY 147 

CMXIX 

919 GEORGE BETHUNE, M.D., son of (272) James 
Best; m. Dec. 3, 1889, Kate Louise Dana. Resides No. 
34 Church St., Englewood, N. J. Issue: 

927 Katherine Haven, b. Oct. 29, 1890; d. June 

12, 1891. 

928 Marjorie Dana, b. Nov. 24, 1891. 

929 Helen Crittenden, b. May 29, 1893. 

930 George Bethune, b. Mch. 29, 1898. 

CMXX 

920 JAMES B., son of (272) James Best; m. Oct. 30, 
1890, Gertrude Delprat, and had two children, who d. 
in infancy: 

931 , b. d. y. 

932 , b. d. y. 

James Best resides at Everett, Wash. When very young, 
his parents having passed away, he went to live with his 
aunts, the Misses Best, at Kinderhook, where he attended 
the Academy, from which he graduated at a very early age. 
As a youth he had shown great aptitude for languages and 
literature; and, after receiving his degree at college, he 
decided to devote his career to literary pursuits. He first 
assumed the management of a newspaper at Spokane, 
Wash., which he conducted for some years with great 
success. He afterwards moved to Tacoma to take the 
entire charge of and edit the principal newspaper of that 
city, in which he was also financially interested. His 
business ventures, added to his newspaper work, have 
brought him wealth and prestige, so that, to-day, his name 
is well known in that part of the West. The " Best Block," 
one of the largest stone and brick buildings in Tacoma, 
is one of the monuments to his enterprise. He resides in a 



148 BEST GENEALOGY 

beautiful home at Everett, is somewhat interested in 
society, but devotedly attached to his newspaper enter- 
prises, from which he would be loth to part, as by them 
he has made his calling and election sure. 

CCLXXIII 

273 JARED, son of (80) Ephraim Best; m. Dec. 21, 
1854, Malinda Holmes Paul, b. Mch. 20, 1835, and had: 

933 Lizzie Augusta, b. June 28, 1856. 

934 Willis James, b. Sept. 14, 1858; m. June 10, 

190?, Mrs. Sally Robinson Creighton, sister of 
Alfred Judson Robinson, of Bangor, Maine. 
She had a daughter, Dorothy, who has taken 
the name of Best. 

935 Lucius Ephraim, b. Nov. 20, 1863. 

936 Jared Frank, b. Nov. 4, 1865; d. July 4, 1890. 

937 Marie Louise, b. July 8, 1873. 

Jared Best in his early days was actively engaged in the 
manufacture of paper near Chatham Village. In 1840 he 
was conducting a mercantile business there. Upon the 
incorporation and construction of the Masonic Building he 
was chosen its first vice-president. He was tall and 
dignified of stature, and affable and genial in business and 
social relations. He passed away, suddenly, while super- 
intending the work of the farm, in which he was actively 
interested to the last, at his beautiful home, " Highland 
Farms," near Chatham Village, at the advanced age of 
eighty-five years. His son (936) Jared Frank, better 
known as Frank, to distinguish him from his father, early 
moved to Mobile, Alabama, where he engaged in the 
lumber industry, and, at the time of his death, had acquired 
the reputation of being one of the most expert judges of 
lumber in the South. He died at his home in Mobile, of 
a fever indigenous to the South, at the early age of thirty- 



BEST GENEALOGY 149 

five years, and his remains were interred in the Rural 
Cemetery at Chatham. (934) Willis James attended 
the public schools at Chatham, after which he entered 
Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie. After 
graduation he accepted a clerical position in a bank at 
Chatham, which he held for a year, when he went to Forest 
City, Iowa, and served in the same capacity in a bank in 
that city. Following this be engaged in the railroad 
business at Chicago, which occupied him for two years, 
when he went to Denver and continued in the same busi- 
ness for two and a half years. He is now interested in 
ocean transportation, and largely in mining and smelting 
industries in Mexico. Is president of one of the largest 
copper mines in New Mexico. Is vice-president and 
director of one of the coast lines of steamships plying 
between New York and Mexican ports. Has been vice- 
president and is now a director of the City Club, one of the 
wealthiest clubs in New York City. He spends most of 
his leisure time on his estate, "Highland Farms," situate 
about two miles north of Chatham Village, where, in the 
breeding of Guernsey cattle and fine horses, he finds his 
chief delight. The house, placed on an eminence com- 
manding a wide extent of view, has been elaborately dec- 
orated by well known artists, and is amply equipped for 
the entertainment of city guests, where, in season, they 
find the essentials of a city home combined with the pleasures 
of outdoor life. Office address, No. 27 William St., N. Y. 
City. 

CCLXXIV 

274 RICHARD, son of (80) Ephraim Best; m. 1843, 
Eliza Wright, and had: 

938 Walter Joseph, b. ; m. 

939 Richard J., b. 



150 BEST GENEALOGY 

CMXXXVIII 

938 WALTER JOSEPH, son of (274) Richard Best; 
m.; about 25 years ago, resided in Brooklyn; had two 
children : 



940 
941 



CCLXXV 

2 75 JOHN ELI, son of (80) Ephraim Best; m. Dec. 
14, 1858, Maria H. Cook, b. June 22, 1830. Issue: 

942 , d. y., unnamed. 

943 Ephraim Ira, b. July 5, 1861; d. Nov. 4, 1863, 

944 Cyrus Williams, b. Apr. 22, 1865; m. June 20. 

1900, Frances McCracken. 

945 John Eli, b. Dec. 6, 1866; m. June 10, 1891, 

May Roblin. Resides Chicago, 111. No issue. 

946 Mary Abbie, b. Sept. 28, 1875; d. July 3, 1877. 

(944) Cyrus W. Best, in his youth, showed marked mu- 
sical talent, which his parents deemed wise to develop. As 
a composer and pianist he has been eminently successful 
in his chosen profession. After graduating from the Oberlin 
(Ohio) Conservatory of Music, in 1890, he went from there 
directly to Leipzig, Germany, where he studied, for three 
years, at that famous Conservatory of Music, with the well 
known teacher, Herr Prof. Martin Krause, the great 
European musical critic. In 1895 he went abroad again 
for further travel and study. He has had several years' 
experience in successfully managing large conservatories, 
and for some years conducted the C. W. Best Concert 
Company. The Chicago "Journal of Fine Arts " says this of 
him: " In few cities of America are there as many talented 
performers on the pianoforte as in Chicago, and among 



BEST GENEALOGY 151 

these C. W. Best stands out prominently as a soloist." 
For some years he was the director of the Kankakee (Illi- 
nois) Conservatory of Music, and a teacher of piano, pipe 
organ, theory, and musical history, with over two hundred 
students in attendance, in 1900. Receiving offers of larger 
remuneration and greater scope for his activities, he ac- 
cepted, in 1902, the directorship of the Waynesburg College 
Conservatory of Music, at Waynesburg, Pa., where he is 
now located. His wife, Frances McCracken Best, is also an 
excellent musician, and teacher of harp and piano. She 
was a pupil of the celebrated harpist, Mrs. Clara Murray, 
and the eminent Danish pianist, Mr. August Hyllested. She 
has been a most successful teacher in every way, as well as 
a concert performer. 

CCLXXIX 

279 AMBROSE SPENCER, son of (80) Ephraim 
Best; m. Apr. 2, 1861, Amelia Ann Reed. She d. Mch. 14, 
1888. Issue. 

947 Minnie Ida, b. Mch. 12, 1862; d. Nov. 14, 1892. 

948 Abbie Merinda, b. Sept. 15, 1863; m. Jan. 5, 

1897, R. D. Redfern. No issue. Resides 
No. 15 West 26th St., N. Y. City. 

949 Charles Albert, b. Sept. 6, 1865; m. Feb. 14, 

1900, Sarah Watt. Office No. 77 Murray St., 
N. Y. City. 

CCLXXX 

280 CATHERINE ELIZA, daughter of (81) David 
Best; m. Dec. 31, 1829, John B. Reynolds, b. Aug. 16, 1806; 
d. June 27, 1885. Both bur. at Kinderhook. Issue: 

950 John L., b. Sept. 28, 1830; m. Eliza M. Fritts; 

d, Jan. 1, 1893. 



152 BEST GENEALOGY 

951 Edwin R., b. Nov. 28, 1834; m. Frances A. Green; 

d. Dec. 21, 1872. 

952 Thaddeus C. S., b. June 10, 1836; m. (660) 

Eveline Reynolds, daughter of (250) Margaret 
Reynolds; d. May 30, 1891. 

953 Ellen E., b. Dec. 10, 1837; m. David P. Goold. 

954 Margaret E., b. Jan. 21, 1840; m. 1st, Loren 

H. Goold; m. 2nd, George W. Raughtmaker. 

955 Lydia, b. Nov., 1842; d. Mch. 12, 1843. 

956 Mary W., b. Mch. 12, 1843. 

957 Mary F., b. Feb. 14, 1846; m. 1st, Edmund 

M. Knapp; 2nd, George Gillet, b. May 17, 
1846. 

958 Lydia M., b. Oct. 10, 1846; d. May 29, 1857. 

CML 

950 JOHN L., son of (280) Catherine E. Reynolds; 
m. 1856, Eliza M. Fritts, and had: 

959 Ada B., b. ; m. Thomas Russell. 

Resides Newton, Kansas. 

CMLI 

951 EDWIN R., son of (280) Catherine E. Reynolds; 
m. Apr. 7, 1866, Frances A. Green, b. Feb. 3, 1847; d. 
Jan. 9, 1879, and had: 

960 Mary E., b. Jan. 1, 1867; m. George Wright. 

CMLX 

960 MARY E., daughter of (951) Edwin R. Rey- 
nolds; m. May 31, 1887, George Wright. Resides Valatie. 
Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 153 

r- 

961 George E., b. Apr. 2, 1888. 

962 Ella F., b. Nov. 8, 1889. 

963 j May M., b. Dec. 19, 1894; d. Nov. 26, 1895. 

964 ( Ray R., b. Dec. 19, 1894; d. Mch. 29, 1896. 

CMLII 

952 THADDEUS C. S., son of (280) Catherine E. 
Reynolds; m. Nov. 27, 1860, (660) Eveline Reynolds, 
daughter of (250) Margaret Reynolds. Resides Chatham. 
Issue: 

965 Tilleva, b. Oct. 10, 1861; d. Oct. 24, 1861. 

966 William L., b. Jan. 25, 1865; d. Apr. 12, 1886. 

967 Margaret, b. Feb. 1, 1870; d. May 1, 1870. 

CMLIII 

953 ELLEN E., daughter of (280) Catherine E. Reynolds; 
m. Feb. 24, 1869, David P. Goold, b. Aug. 29, 1832; d. 
Feb. 27, 1892. Resided Hillsdale, Mich. Issue: 

968 Nettie M., b. Oct. 13, 1870; m. Feb. 4, 1897, 

Henry D. Crandall. Resides Hillsdale, Mich. 
No issue. 

969 Eliza Lora, b. June 9, 1874; m. Alvondo Carter. 

970 David P., b. Aug. 29, 1878. 

CMLXIX 

969 ELIZA LORA, daughter of (953) Ellen E. Goold; 
m. Mch. 29, 1891, Alvondo Carter. Resides Hillsdale, 
Mich. Issue: 

971 Oscar, b. Nov. 26, 1891. 

972 Eva, b. Dec. 21, 1893. 

973 Walter H., b. Jan. 13, 1899. 



154 BEST GENEALOGY 

CMLIV 

954 MARGARET E., daughter of (280) Catherine E. 
Reynolds; m. 1st, Oct. 24, 1867, Loren H. Goold, b. May 
21, 1842, d. Sept. 11, 1873 ; and had: 

974 Burdella J., b. Sept. 3, 1869; d. Oct. io, 1870. 

975 John L., b. Apr. 17, 1872; m. Apr. 2, 1900, 

Asenath Peterson. Resides Phila., Penn. 

M. 2nd, George W. Raughtmaker. Resides Kinderhook. 
No issue. 

CMLVII 

957 MARY F., daughter of (280) Catherine E. Reynolds; 
m. 1st, Oct. 24, 1867, Edmund M. Knapp, b. Apr. 17, 
1833; d. Nov. 29, 1888. Issue: 

976 Ella May, b. Oct. 29, 1869; d. Apr. 20, 1870. 

M. 2nd, May 3, 1894, George Gillet, b. May 17, 1846. 
No issue. Resides Lebanon Spa, N. Y. 

CCLXXXII 

282 JACOB L., son of (81) David Best; m. May 2, 1844, 
by Rev. A. Farr, Emma Angell, b. July 28, 1822, and had: 

977 Dorwin A., b. Nov. 6, 1850; d. May 1, 1857. 

978 Frank B., b. Jan.i, 1853; d. Dec. 15, 1859. 

Jacob L. Best was a life-long resident of Chatham, where 
he married Emma Angell, a daughter of John Angell, who 
is still living there at an advanced age. Mrs. Best, who has 
devoted much time to genealogical research, traces her 
descent from Sir Francis Drake. At the death of Jacob 
L. Best, the following memorial was unanimously adopted 
by the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 



BEST GENEALOGY 155 

which he was a member: "Whereas, our beloved brother 
and co-laborer, Jacob L. Best, has been called by that voice 
whose summons we must all obey, therefore be it resolved, 
that while we bow in humble submission to the will of Him 
who doeth all things well, we sincerely feel our loss, ever 
bearing in mind his long and useful life among us. In his 
official capacity he freely gave of his time and means in the 
interest of the church he so much loved; and, when in 
health, was always found in attendance upon the devotional 
meetings, not only bearing testimony of the goodness of 
our Heavenly Father, but at the same time, kindly, but 
earnestly urging all to give themselves into His care and 
keeping. Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy 
to our sister in this her great affliction, also Resolved, 
That in respect to his memory and life work, the above 
be spread upon the minutes of the church and a copy of 
the same be sent to the family of the deceased brother." 

CCLXXXIII 

283 MARGARET M., daughter of (81) David Best; 
m. Henry A. Hoysradt, b. 1 8 1 8 ; d. Oct. 8, 1 884. 

Issue: 

979 Mary F., b. Dec. 8, 1844; d. Feb. 24, 1864. 

980 David Best, b. Aug. 22, 1847; m. Mary Merwin, 

sister of Martha O. Merwin, who m. (824) 
Peter I. Best. He d. Apr. 7, 1901. Resided 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

981 Ellen Jane, b. Feb. 18, 1848; d. Oct. 27, 1848. 

Henry A. Hoysradt served as Supervisor of the Town 
of Kinderhook, in 1848. 

CCLXXXV 

285 DAVID, son of (81) David Best; m. Apr. 20, 1858, 
Ellen Fitzgerald, b. Sept. 15, 1837; d. Oct. 26, 1885. Issue: 



156 BEST GENEALOGY 

982 Fannie E., b. June i, 1859. 

983 Charles D., b. May 28, 1861; m. Mattie Deyo; 

d. Mch. 1895. 

984 George M., b. Nov. 7, 1862; m. Oct. 12, 1892, 

Ada P. Potts. No issue. Resides No. 128 
Union Hall St., Jamaica, Long Island, N. Y. 
984a Margaret, b. Mch. 25, 1868. 

CMLXXXIII 

983 CHARLES D., son of (285) David Best; m. Oct. 
9, 1887, Mattie Deyo. Resides No. 85 Clinton Ave., Albany, 
N. Y. Issue: 

985 Emma C, b. Aug. 12, 1888. 

CCLXIX 

269 WILLIAM CUSHING, son of (81) David Best; m. 
Oct. 9, 1856, Caroline Niver, b. June 10, 1839; d. Apr. 6, 
1886. Resides Warren, Mass. P. O. Box 227. Adopted 
Ada B., b. Oct. 10, 1869. Has had the following: 

986 Caroline, b. Sept. 11, 1857; m. 1st, Samuel 

K. Van Alstyn; m. 2nd, Nov. 6, 1895, Dennis 
Totell. Resides Leominster, Mass. She d. 
Nov. 29, 1897. 

987 William C, b. Mch. 4, 1859; d. Dec. 23, 1859. 

988 Henry N., b. Sept. 27, i860; m. Emma J. Knapp. 

989 David, b. Sept. 12, 1863; m. Feb. 14, 1894, 

Clara Wentrick, b. Sept. 12, 1853; d. Sept. 11, 
1899. No issue. Resides No. 12 Albany St., 
North Albany, N. Y. 

990 Phcebe M., b. Sept. 13, 1865; m. F. H. Ashton. 

991 Margaret, b. Oct. 1, 1867; m. Luther L. Bates. 



BEST GENEALOGY 157 

CMLXXXVI 

986 CAROLINE, daughter of (269) William C. Best; 
m. 1st, June 18, 1876, Samuel K. Van Alstyn, b. Oct. 17, 
1849; d. Apr. 12, 1890, and had: 

992 Irving, b. Apr. 10, 1878. 

993 Nettie, b. Feb. 1, 1880; d. July 2, 1882. 

994 Samuel T., b. Oct. 28, 1881. 

995 Eva M., b. Dec. 7, 1883. 

996 Nelson L., b. Oct. 19, 1886. 

997 Maud, b. June 9, 1889. 

M. 2nd, Dennis Totell. No issue. 
CMLXXXVIII 

988 HENRY N., son of (269) William C. Best; m. Dec. 
17, 1884, Emma J. Knapp, b. Dec. 6, 1857. Resides Van 
Hoesens, Rens. Co., N. Y. Issue: 

998 Mabel P., b. Feb. 8, 1889; d. Jan. 16, 1890. 

999 Grace L., b. Mch. 13, 1891. 
1000 Charles H., b. Apr. 23, 1894. 

XM 

990 PH02BE M., daughter of (269) William C. Best; 
m. Jan. 2, 1889, F. H. Ashton, b. Dec. 29, 1861, and had: 

1001 Clarence A., b. Feb. 14, 1890. 

1002 Albert J., b. Nov. 7, 1891. 

F. H. Ashton resides No. 2415 South 17th St., Omaha, 
Neb. 

XMI 

991 MARGARET, daughter of (269) William C. Best; 
m. July 14, 1880, Luther L. Bates, b. June 15, 1863. Issue: 



158 BEST GENEALOGY 

1003 Nellie Blanche, b. May 10, 1883; d. July 8, 

1883. 

1004 Stella May, b. July 5, 1885. 

1005 David Ray, b. Oct. 21, 1893. 

1006 Maudie Ethlowene, b. Sept. 12, 1897. 

Luther L. Bates resides Bassett, Rock Co., Neb. 

ccxc 

290 CHRISTINA, daughter of (82) Abraham Best; m. 
Aug. 20, 1834, Richard T. Esmond, b. at Saratoga Spa, 
Sept. 3, 1804; d. May 10, 1892. Issue: 

1007 Ellen J. B., b. July 15, 1835; m. July 15, i860, 

Hermance Haight Ferris, b. July 23, 1838. 
Resides Ballston Spa, N. Y. No issue. 

1008 Richard Best, b. July 11, 1855; d. Jan. 15, 

i860. 

Richard T. Esmond resided Ballston Spa, N. Y. 

CCXCI 

291 MARGARET, daughter of (82) Abraham Best; 
m. Nov. 5, 1839, William Bigelow, b. at Pawlet, Vt., Apr. 
1, 1814; d. June 6, 1872, and had: 

1009 John B., b. Aug. 6, 1840; m. Katherine Wager. 

1010 Frances Harriet, b. ; m. George Kilmer, 
ion George W., b. 1845; d. 1865. Single. 

1012 Sarah Jane, b. Dec. 29, 1853; m. June 5, 1879, 

Charles E. Beckwith. Resides Salem, Wash. 
Co., N. Y. No issue. 

1013 James, b. 1855; d. 1888. Single. 

(1011) George W. Bigelow served in the Civil War, en- 
listing in a company at New York City, at eighteen years of 



BEST GENEALOGY 159 

age. He was killed in the battle at Spottsylvania Court 
House, 1865. 

MIX 

1009 JOHN B., son of (291) Margaret Bigelow; m. 
Feb. 20, 1867, Katherine Wager, b. 1851; d. Feb. 
3, 1898. Issue: 

1014 George Heaman, b. July 11, 1868. 

1015 Arthur John, b. Aug. 14, 1872; m. 189?. 

Resides ioio£ Hyde St., San Francisco, Cal. 

1016 Grace, b. Dec. 25, 1881; d. Nov. 24, 1894. 

John B. Bigelow resides No. 221 West 148th St., N. Y. 
City. 

MX 

1010 FRANCES HARRIET, daughter of (291) Mar- 
garet Bigelow; m. George Kilmer. Resides Lansingburg, 
N. Y. Issue: 



1017 Allen E., 



CCXCII 



292 CORNELIA CAROLINE, daughter of (82) Abra- 
ham Best; m. Nov. 5, 1839, Lewis De Groff, b. June 9, 
1816; d. June 1, 1895. Bur. Mechanicsville, N. Y. Widow 
resides No 1 2 North 9th St., Newark, N. J. Issue: 

1018 Henrietta I., b. Oct. 3, 1840; m. Abraham M. 

Spain. 

1019 Ophelia L., b. Feb. 3, 1842; m. Hubert P. 

Main. 

1020 Abraham Best, b. Nov. 15, 1843; d. Aug. 3, 

1865. 



160 BEST GENEALOGY 

1021 Adella Virginia, b. Feb. 19, 1848; d. Nov. 

22, 1849. 

1022 Arthur L., b. Dec. 5, 1851 ; m. Mary H. Dashiel. 

1023 Serena A., b. Oct. 7, 1856; m. Oct. 3, 1885, 

George W. Dederick. No issue. 

In searching through old records the author happened 
upon the following, which is inserted here for the interest 
it may convey, and not for the purpose of establishing 
descent; Apr. 15, 1735, Jacobus Vandenbogert, of Dutchess 
Co., yeoman, and wife, and Mydert vandenbogert, of the 
same Co., and wife, in consideration of ^100, conveyed 
to Jan de Graeff (Groff), of said Co., land in " pouchg- 
keepsinck," on Fall Creek, adjoining the land of the widow 
of John Kip, deceased, also of Col. Leonard Lewis, then late 
of Dutchess Co., deceased, and of Baltus Van Kleeck, then 
late &c, deceased, and then in possession of Franc Filkin, 
excepting and reserving the mill creek, called Fall Kill, and 
a road down to the mill. The property deeded was situate 
at Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess Co., N. Y., where Jan de 
Graeff then resided. The spelling is retained; the names 
are easily recognized. May 5, 1738, Bartholomeus Hoge- 
boom, of Dutchess Co., Carpenter, and " Saramynwyf , " 
in consideration of " eyty pounds currant money of the 
provence of New Yorck," conveyed to John De Graef, 
of said Co., "Coerdwyner," land at " poghkeepsinck " (they 
certainly had a hard time with that word), butted and 
bounded on the south "syde" of the land of Walter Van 
Kleeck, and extending to the river, which tract was deeded 
to said Hogeboom by Myndert Harmonse, and Helena, his 
wife, in July, 1709. 

From a map of the village of Poughkeepsie, made from 
a survey of Henry Livingston, May 10, 1799, we find that 
a De Graff resided on the ' Upper Landing Road." Local 
historians say that he was one of the earliest of the Dutch 
settlers. The last village President of Poughkeepsie was 



BEST GENEALOGY 161 

Jacob De Groff, 1853-4. It is probable that the descen- 
dants of Lewis De Groff will find their earliest ancestor 
here. 

MXVIII 

1018 HENRIETTA I., daughter of (292) Cornelia 
C. De Groff; m. Apr. 20, 1871, Abraham M. Spain, and had: 

1024 Lewis Best, b. Mch. 19, 1872; m. Florence E. 

D arrow. 

1025 Ward K., b. Apr. 23, 1873; m. Clara V. Smith. 

1026 Chauncey Hayes, b. July 17, 1875; m. Oct. 6, 

1897, Zella Opal Lane, b. Mch. 29, 1878, at 
West Mansfield, Ohio. Mar. by Rev. C W. 
Lane, at Lykens, Ohio. No issue. 

Abraham M. Spain resides at North Lewisburg, Cham- 
paign Co., Ohio, where his children also reside. 

MXXIV 

1024 LEWIS BEST, son of (1018) Henrietta I. Spain; 
m. Oct. 19, 1893, Florence Eveline Darrow, b. at Woodstock, 
Ohio, June 23, 1876. Mar. by Rev. J. W. Henly, of Wood- 
stock. Issue: 

1027 Velma Cliffe, b. Dec. 10, 1894. 

MXXV 

1025 WARD K., son of (1018) Henrietta I. Spain; m. 
Nov. 6, 1895, Clara Virginia Smith, b. Aug. 11, 1875, at 
Gardner, Kansas. Mar. by Rev. J. W. Miller, at North 
Lewisburg, Ohio, and had: 

1028 Walter Kyle, b. Sept. 5, 1896. 



162 BEST GENEALOGY 

MXIX 

ioiq OPHELIA L., daughter of (292) Cornelia C. De 
Groff; m. Sept, 18, 1865, Hubert P. Main, b. Aug. 17, 1839. 
Issue : 

1029 Carry V., b. Nov. 18, 1866. 

1030 Lewis Arthur, b. July 24, 1868; d. Sept. 14, 

1868. 

1031 Lucius C, b. Mch. i, 1874; m. Etta S. Burke, 

1032 Hubert De Groff, b. Dec. 2, 1884. 

Hubert P. Main is a member of the publishing firm of 
Biglow & Main, publishers, for many years of the well- 
known Gospel Hymns, church hymnals, and Sunday- 
school books. It is probably the largest concern in the 
country dealing exclusively in the publication of church 
books and periodicals. Mr. Main resides at No. 12 North 
9th St., Newark, N. J. 

MXXXI 

1031 LUCIUS C, son of (1019) Ophelia L. Main; m. 
July 26, 1899, Etta Stuart Burke, and had: 

1033 Stuart De Groff, b. June 3, 1900. 

MXXII 

1022 ARTHUR L., son of (292) Cornelia C. De Groff; 
m. Jan. 22, 1879, Mary H. Dashiel, and had: 

1034 Cornelia B., b. Oct. 15, 1883. 

1035 Arthur D., b. Apr. 17, 1885. 

1036 Robert L., b. Jan. 9, 1890. 

1037 Mary E., b. Aug. 29, 1894. 

1038 Robert L. D., b. Feb. 18, 1880; d. Mch. 1880. 



BEST GENEALOGY 163 

Arthur L. De Groff resides No. 240 Roseville St., Newark, 
N.J. 

CCXCIV 

294 ABRAHAM, son of (82) Abraham Best; m. Sept. 
19, 1848, Sarah Staats, b. Sept. 29, 1829, and had: 

1039 John Allen, b. Feb. 25, 1850; m. Hattie Irish. 

1040 Anna Maria, b. Aug. 31, 1851; m. Isaac Roff. 

1041 Mary Elizabeth, b. Feb. 20, 1853; m. Gilbert 

Mitchell. 

1042 Helene Jane, b. Feb. 8, 1856. 

1043 Loraine T., b. Oct. 21, 1859; m. Alexander T. 

Nolton. 

1044 Miller, b. Dec. 16, 1863; m. Jennie Vanden- 

burgh. 

1045 Nellie, b. Feb. 24, 1871. 

Abraham Best resides Vischer's Ferry, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y. 

MXXXIX 

1039 JOHN ALLEN, son of (294) Abraham Best; m. 
June 15, 1887, Hattie Irish, and had: 

1046 Jenness, b. July 1888. 

1047 Helen, b. June 1896. 

John A. Best resides Colonie, N. Y. 

MXL 

1040 ANNA MARIA, daughter of (294) Abraham 
Best; m. Oct. 4, 1870, Isaac Roff, b. Dec. 20, 1840, and had: 

1048 Frederick A., b. May 22, 1874. 

1049 Sarah Eloise, b. Apr. 30, 1879. 



164 BEST GENEALOGY 

1050 Allen Archiland, b. Mch. 20, 1881. 

1051 Helena Eliza, b. Dec. 1, 1886. 

Isaac Roff resides No. 217 Main St., Cohoes, N. Y. 

MXLI 

1041 MARY ELIZABETH, daughter of (294) Abraham 
Best; m. Jan. 1, 1888, Gilbert Mitchell, and had: 

1052 Lewis, b. Jan. 1, 1890. 
Gilbert Mitchell resides Boston, Mass. 

MXLIII 

1043 LORAINE T., daughter of (294) Abraham Best; 
m. Oct. 28, 1885, Alexander T. Nolton, Resides Cohoes 
N. Y. Issue: 

1053 Wilfred, b. Jan. 7, 1888. 

MXLIV 

1044 MILLER, son of (294) Abraham Best; m. Oct. 
15, 1884, Jennie Vandenburgh. Resides Vischer's Ferry, 
N. Y. Issue: 

1054 Carry Estella, b. Oct. 7, 1887. 

ccvc 

295 HENRY MESICK, son of (82) Abraham Best; m. 
Dec. 19, 1849, by Rev. C. Frazier, Sylvia Brockway, b. 
June 12, 1830. Resides Clifton Park, N. Y. Issue J 

1055 George P., b. Oct. 20, 1850; d. Dec 1, 1859. 

1056 Olive Ann, b. Feb. 27, 1853; m. Charles Silver- 

nail. 

1057 Ella Endora, b. June 6, 1870; m. Frank Staley. 



BEST GENEALOGY 165 

MLVI 

1056 OLIVE ANN, daughter of (295) Henry M. Best; 
m. June 12, 1872, Charles Silvernail, and had: 

1058 Etta Best, b. Nov. 5, 1879; m. James N. 

Vischer. 

MLVIII 

1058 ETTA BEST, daughter of (1056) Olive A. Silver- 
nail; m. 1895, James Nessle Vischer. Issue: 

1059 Harold, b. Aug. 16, 1898. 

MLVII 

1057 ELLA ENDORA, daughter of (295) Henry M. 
Best; m. Dec. 19, 1880, Frank Staley, and had: 

1060 Herman Best, b. Feb. 5, 1892, 

CCXCVII 

297 SARAH CATHERINE, daughter of (82) Abraham 
Best; m. Oct. 5, 1859, John Fellows. He d. Apr. 6, 1892. 
Issue : 

1061 Herbert B., b. Nov. 20, i860; m. Minnie C. 

Ives; d. Dec. 5, 1899. 

MLXI 

1061 HERBERT B., son of (297) Sarah C. Fellows; 
m. Sept. 21, 1889, Minnie C. Ives, b. Jan. 5, 1863, and had: 

1062 Gordon R., b. Apr. 6, 1891. 

Herbert B. Fellows resided at Scarsboro, N. Y., and 



166 BEST GENEALOGY 

was murdered by robbers while in the discharge of his 
duties. 

CCXCVIII 

298 MARGARET M., daughter of (83) Sarah Murray; 
m. May 7, 1846, George Haywood, b. at Hillsdale, June 
19, 1822; d. Mch. 28, 1898. Resides Clinton, Iowa. Issue: 

1063 Murray, b. July 4, 1852; m. Anna W. Scott. 

1064 George, b. May 23, 1855; m. Oct. 1891, 

Rose Case, of Madison, Wis. No issue. 
Resides Clinton, Iowa. 

1065 William M., b. May 23, 1865; m. Margaret A. 

Crine. 

MLXIII 

1063 MURRAY, son of (298) Margaret M. Haywood; 
m. Oct. 14, 1880, Anna Webb Scott, of Davenport, Iowa. 
Issue: 

1066 Margaret, b. Aug. 5, 1881. 

1067 Clara Amanda, b. Jan. 20, 1883. 

1068 Murray, b. Sept. 16, 1884. 

1069 Alvin Eugene, b. Jan. 25, 1887. 

1070 Mildred Alice, b. June 8, 1893. 

Murray Haywood resides at Clinton, Iowa. 

MLXV 

1065 WILLIAM M., son of (298) Margaret M. Haywood; 
m. at Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1887, 
Margaret Addie Crine, b. at Wayland, May 29, 1862, 
daughter of Christian and Catherine Crine, of Wayland, 
Steuben Co., N. Y. Resides Moline, Rock Island Co., 
Illinois, at No. 344 7th St. Issue: 



BEST GENEALOGY 167 

1071 Mary Margaret, b. June n, 1889. 

1072 Rhea Edna. b. May 15, 1892. 

CCCIII 

303 WILLIAM, son of (83) Sarah Murray; m. Jan. 31, 
1866, Julia Dorr, b. July 17, 1836. Resides Hillsdale, N. Y. 
Issue : 

io 73 Joseph D., b. Aug. 22, 1869. Single. 

CCCIV 

304 HENRY W., son of (83) Sarah Murray; m. Nov. 
11, 1851, Julia Weed, b. June 4, 1825; d. Aug. 17, 1894. 
Issue: 

1074 William, b. Aug. 14, 1852; m. Minnie M. 

Murray. 

1075 Frank P., b. Nov. 17, 1853. Office No. 105 

Fulton St., N. Y. City. 

1076 Mary A., b. Sept. 27, 1855. 

1077 Julia E., b. Dec. 14, 1862; m. John Neal; d. 

Apr. 27, 1898. 

1078 Martha, b. Apr. 5, 1870; d. Nov. 5, 1884. 

MLXXIV 

1074 WILLIAM, son of (304) Henry W. Murray; m. 
Dec. 11, 1889, Minnie M. Murray, b. Mch. 10, 1868. Resides 
Montrose Park, South Orange, N. J. Issue: 

1079 Walter Arthur, b. Oct. 27, 1890. 

1080 Mildred Emma, b. Aug. 13, 1898. 

MLXXVII 
1077 JULIA E., daughter of (304) Henry W. Murray; 



168 BEST GENEALOGY 

m. Sept. 2, 1890, John Neal, b. Sept. 15, 1854. Resides 
No. 100 4th Ave., Newark, N. J. Issue: 

1081 Anna Virginia, b. July 23, 1891. 

1082 Evelyn, b. Feb. 22, 1894. 

cccv 

305 JACOB B., son of (83) Sarah Murray; m. Jan. 20, 
1855, Martha Wheeler, b. Aug. 29, 1834. Issue: 

1083 Russell W., b. Apr. 6, 1856. 

1084 William, b. Mch. 9, 1858; m. Jenny Barre. 

1085 Martha E., b. Mch. 30, 1859; d. Feb. 18, 1861. 

1086 Maud, b. July 13, 1864; m. Edward W. Bigelow. 

1087 Mabel, b. Feb. 15, 1868. 

1088 Jenny B., b. Sept. 29, 1869; m. Samuel E. 

Vernon. 

Jacob B. Murray was engaged in the wholesale grocery 
business in Brooklyn for many years. He devoted much 
of his time and means to philanthropic objects and church 
work, in which he was largely interested. He was an elder 
of Plymouth Church, and at the time of his death Henry 
Ward Beecher, then pastor of the church, inscribed 
the following on the minutes of the Consistory, a copy 
of which was sent to the widow : " After a prosperous 
and most happy life, of fifty-two years, God called Jacob 
B. Murray unto his heavenly rest, on the morning of 
August 24, 1880. In the fulness of life and happiness, 
'his eye not dim nor his natural strength abated,' by reason 
of a brief illness through inflammation of the brain, he arose 
from earth and entered into life eternal. His body was 
laid to rest in Greenwood, at the going down of the sun, on 
Friday, Aug. 27, 1880." (Signed) " Henry Ward Beecher." 
His widow resides at No. 246 Carroll St., Brooklyn N. Y. 



BEST GENEALOGY 169 

MLXXXIV 

1084 WILLIAM, son of (305) Jacob B. Murray; m. 
Dec. 20, 1880, Jenny Barre, b. Sept. 4, 1861. Resides 
Brooklyn. Issue: 

1089 Marie A., b. Sept. 21, 1881. 

1090 William R., b. June 27, 1883. 

1091 Jean F., b. Sept. 30, 1891. 

MLXXXVI 

1086 MAUD, daughter of (305) Jacob B. Murray; m. 
Oct. 7, 1886, Edward W. Bigelow, b. Apr. 7, 1861, and had: 

1092 Marion, b. July 4, 1887. 

1093 Charles R., b. July 23, 1890; d. July 1, 1891. 

1094 Wilder, b. May 23, 1892. 

1095 Russell, b. Jan. 9, 1896. 

MLXXXVIII 

1088 JENNY B., daughter of (305) Jacob B. Murray; 
m. Feb. 4, 1892, Samuel E. Vernon, b. 1857. Issue: 

1096 Vivian, b. Mch. 9, 1894. 

1097 Murray, b. Jan. 3, 1897. 

CCCVII 

307 MARTHA M., daughter of (83) Sarah Murray; 
m. Sept. 9, 1846, Isaac B. Rogers, b. Feb. 23, 1818. Re- 
sided Clinton, Iowa. Issue: 

1098 Sarah Elizabeth, b. Sept. 4, 1847. Resides 

No. 510 7th Ave., Clinton, Iowa. 

1099 William Murray, b. Feb. 19, 1855; m. ; 

d. 1879. No issue. 



170 BEST GENEALOGY 

iioo Henry Walter, b. Mch. 28, 1858; m. Nov., 
1881, Molly Hequenburg, of Dunkirk, N. Y. 
No issue. He d. Aug. 1, 1882. 

CCCVIII 

308 SARAH ANN, daughter of (84) Jeremiah J. Best; 
m. at Claverack, Feb. 18, 1846, David Post Daniels, of 
Montrose, Pa., b. Nov. 18, 1821; d. Nov. 25, 1852. Bur. 
Claverack. Issue: 

1101 Sarah Elizabeth, b. Jan. 29, 1848. 

1 102 Phebe Augusta, b. June 30, 1849; d. June 17, 

1897. 

1 103 Mary Josephine, b. Oct. 1, 1851. 

CCCIX 

309 MARY JANE, daughter of (84) Jeremiah J. Best; 
m. Sept. 18, 1856, John M. Whitman, b. Apr. 12, 1834. 
Resides Van Hoesen's Corners, Rens. Co., N. Y. Issue: 

1 104 Albert H., b. Oct. 4, i860; m. 1st. M. Adela 

Hoes; m. 2nd., Harriet M. Robeson. 

1105 Lettie M., b. June 30, 1862. 

MCIV 

1 104 ALBERT H., son of (309) Mary J. Whitman; m. 
1st, Sept. 12, 1883, M. Adela Hoes, and had: 

1 106 Adelbert H., b. Apr. 14, 1886. 

M. 2nd, Oct. 23, 1889, Harriet M. Robeson, and had: 

1107 John L., b. Nov. 23, 1893. 

1 108 Ralph E., b. Aug. 4, 1899. 



BEST GENEALOGY 171 

CCCXI 

311 PETER KIPP, son of (84) Jeremiah J. Best; 
m. Sept. 23, 1842, by Rev. Fonda at Livingston, Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., Jane Esselstyn, b. Sept. 23, 1819; d. June 27, 
1887. Bur. Mechanicville, N. Y. Issue: 

1109 Jeremiah I., b. Aug. 9, 1843; m - (848) Mary C. 

Best, daughter of (266) John Best (see under 
family No. 848). 

1 1 10 Jacob Esselstyn, b. Aug. 12, 1845; m. Sarah 

Terry. 

11 11 Charlotte Louise, b. Apr. 15, 1847. 

1112 Alfred Edgar, b. Dec. 12, 1849; d. Nov. 27, 

1893. 

1 1 13 Mary Van Deusen, b. June 23, 1851; d. June 

27, 1852. 

1 1 14 Charles Augustus, b. Nov. 9, 1853. 

1 1 15 Mary Van Deusen, b. Aug. 21, 1855; m. 

Oct. 27, 1886, Ezra J. Swartout. No issue. 

1116 Jane Elizabeth, b. Oct. 21, 1856. 

1117 Peter Edward, b. Feb. 17, 1858; m. Sarah 

L. Safford. 

1 1 18 Harriet Leanora, b. Mch. 28, i860. Re- 

sides Mechanicville. 

1 1 19 Ella Caroline, b. Mch. 30, 1861; m. Adelbert 

B. Orcutt. 

1 1 20 William Malancthon, b. Sept. 11, 1862; m. 

Marion L. Tenney. 

1121 Lydia Mabel, b. Mch. 21, 1866. 

Peter K. Best early moved to Mechanicville, where he 
founded the "Best Brick Co.," which is one of the largest 
in the State, and is still successfully operated. 

MCX 

1 1 10 JACOB ESSELSTYN, son of (311) Peter K. 



172 BEST GENEALOGY 

Best; m. Oct. 5, 1875, Mrs. Sarah Terry, of Niskayuna, 
N. Y. Resides Latham's Corners, N. Y. Issue: 

1 122 Peter Kipp, b. Apr. 8, 1876; m. Mch. 22, 1899, 

Bertha Swatling. Resides Berdoy, Albany 
Co., N. Y. No issue. 

MCXVII 

1 1 17 PETER EDWARD, son of (311) Peter K. Best; 
m. Sept. 27, 1 88 1, Sarah L. Safford, of Mechanic ville, b. 
June 14, 1 86 1, and had: 

1123 Walter J., b. Dec. 3, 1886. 

1124 Edith K., b. Aug. 25, 1892. 

1 1 25 Ordnar, b. Mch. 14, 1893. 

Peter E. Best resides Eagle Mills, Rens. Co., N. Y. 

MCXIX 

1119 ELLA CAROLINE, daughter of (311) Peter K. 
Best; m. Feb. 17, 1885, Adelbert B. Orcutt. Resides 
Mechanic ville. Issue: 

1126 Hazel, b. Feb. 7, 1886. 

1127 Pauline, b. Oct. 23, 1888. 

1128 Harlan Taylor, b. Aug. 10, 1891. 

1129 Gladys Jane, b. Apr. 21, 1897. 

MCXX 

1 120 WILLIAM MALANCTHON, son of (311) Peter 
K. Best; m. Sept, n, 1880, Marion L. Tenney, of Stillwater, 
N. Y. Resides Mechanicville, N. Y. Issue: 

1130 Herbert, b. Oct. 1882; d. July 20, 1893. 



BEST GENEALOGY 173 

CCCXIV 

314 TRISTRAM COFFIN, son of (84) Jeremiah J. 
Best; m. 1st., Oct. 30, 1855, Harriet Lamb, b. Oct. 1827; 
d. Oct. 11, 1865. Bur. Mechanicville. Issue: 

1 131 George Franklin, b. June 5, 1858; m. Ella 

H. McLees. 

1 132 Lewis Howard, b. Apr. 3, 1864; m. Bertha 

E. Smith. 

1133 Emma Jane, b. Aug. 5, 1854, d. Dec. 10, 1858; 

M. 2nd, Elizabeth Lamb, b. Sept. 8, 1828; d. 

Dec. 2i, 1897. No issue. 

MCXXXI 

1 131 GEORGE FRANKLIN, son of (314) Tristram C. 
Best; m. Nov. 23, 1882, Ella Herrick McLees, b. June 
7, 1858. Issue: 

1 134 Grace Mary, b. Apr. 26, 1887; d. May 24, 1893. 

1 135 Blanche Elizabeth, b. Aug. 7, 1894. 

George F. Best resides Round Lake, N. Y. 
MCXXXII 

1132 LEWIS HOWARD, son of (314) Tristram C. 
Best; m. Oct. 19, 1893, Bertha E. Smith and had: 

1136 Hazel Deborah, b. Oct. 4, 1894. 

Lewis H. Best resides Mechanicville, N. Y. 

In the year 1900, the author commissioned a genealogist 
employed by the New York Genealogical and Biographical 
Society to make for him a chart of the Best family from all 
data then extant and available to the professional searcher. 
A very cursory examination of this chart discloses a task 



174 BEST GENEALOGY 

quite impossible, except perhaps to the romancer, of attain- 
ing with safety, or with any degree of assurance, an haven 
of certainty, through the interminable maze, by relying 
solely upon the halting and traditional tracings of a genea- 
logical chart as laid down for us. It is reproduced for the 
purpose of showing the scanty material of the family 
which had been published up to that time, upon which 
the chart was formulated. 



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INDEX 



CHRISTIAN NAMES OF BEST FAMILY 



Abbie Merinda, 151 

Abigail Lee, 106 

Abigail Stevens, 106 

Abraham, 37, 39, 72, 73, 163 

Ada, 98 

Agnes, 101 

Albert, 63, 64, 66 

Albert Starr, 64 

Alexander, 58, 61 

Alfred Edgar, 171 

Alice, 146 

Alice G., 89 

Alida, 70 

Alma May, 102 

Althea, 91, 93 

Amanda Eveline, 74 

Ambrose Spencer, 71, 151 

Andrew, 91, 93 

Andrew K., 76, 95 

Angelica, 46 

Ann, 56 

Anna, 24, 27. 45. 49, 5°. 53, 61 

Anna Catherine, 142 

Anna Christina, 75, 85 

Anna Christyn, 18 

Anna Donaldson, 11 1 

Anna M., 138 

Anna Maria, 19, 79, 98, 100, 163 

Anna Tooker, 51 

Annatjen, 22 

Annetie, 35 

Annette, 61 

Archland, 67 

Arthur, 83, 97 

Arthur A., 60 

Arthur James, 145 

Augusta, 97 

Augusta Lynes, no 



B 



Bachman, 76 

Bayly, Sarah Elizabeth, 109 



Benjamin, 24, 35 
Bernie E., 135 
Bertha, 64, 66, 67 
Blanche Elizabeth, 
Burdella, 135 
Byron, 80, 85 



173 



Caroline, 156 

Carolyn, 140 

Carry, 91, 93, 98 

Carry D., 89 

Carry Estella, 164 

Catherine, 22, 23, 24, 35, 36, 43, 

44, 45, 47, 55, 5 6 , 68 , 6 9, 

79, 95, 9 8 , i°4 
Catherine Alida, 128 
Catherine Eliza, 72 
Catherine Margaret, 104 
Catrien, 26, 48 
Celestia, 135 
Charlotte Louise, 171 
Charles, 14, 15, 81, 83, 95, 136 
Charles A., 138 
Charles Albert, 151 
Charles Augustus, 171 
Charles D., 156 
Charles Elmore, 128 
Charles H., 67, 157 
Charles Monroe, 79, 102 
Charles Sudam, 75, 85 
Charles Vincent, 49 
Cheney, 69 
Christiana, 76, 88 
Christina, 26, 59, 70, 73, 78 
Christina Maria, 69, 75, 79, 81 
Christina Ruth, 63 
Christopher, 15 
C. L., Jr., the portrait of, iv 
Clara, 53, 64 
Clara Belle, 102 
Clara T., 137 

Clermont L., the portrait of, iv 
Clermont Livingston, 50 



175 



176 



INDEX 



Clifford, 102 
Coenradt, 21 
Conrad, 21 
Cordelia, 80 
Cornelia Caroline, 73 
Cornelia Jane, 83 - 
Cyrus F., 66 
Cyrus Williams, 150 



Daisy, 135 

Daniel S., 61 

David, 37, 39, 72, 155, 156 

Delia Eliza, 74, 126 

Donald, 66 

Dora May, 68 

Dorothy, 48 

Dorwin A., 154 

E 

Edgar Allen, 80 

Edith K., 172 

Edmond, 72 

Edward, 20 

Edward A., 67 

Edward Alexander, 60, 67 

Edward De Forest, 140 

Edward Leon, 145 

Edward Payson, 142 

Edward S., 109 

Edythe M., 145 

Eleanor, 70 

Eli, 71 

Elias, 23 

Eliza, 58, 60 

Elizabeth, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 

35. 43. 44, 48, 49. S3. 54, 59. 

75, 76, 80, 81, 85, 91, 92, no 
Elizabeth Ann, 79 
Elizabeth Christina, 79, 98 
Elizabeth M., 140 
Elizabeth Tobey Cutler, no 
Ella Caroline, 1 7 1 
Ella Endora, 164 
Ellen, 61, 63, 72 
Ellen Gertrude, in 
Eloise, 146 
Elva Irene, 102 
Emeline, 108 
Emily, 60, 97 
Emma, 101 
Emma C, 156 
Emma Jane, 173 



Emma Louise, 146 
Ephraim, 23, 37, 39, 71 
Ephraim Ira, 150 
Ephraim Peter, 70, 128 
Ernest, 135 
Eugene, 50 
Eugenia, 98 
Eva, 18, 24, 46, 48, 
Eve, 56, 68, 103 
Eve Anna, 83 
Everett, 138 
Ezra D., 60 



Fannie E., 156 
Florence M., 61 
Frances C, 91 
Frances E., 60 
Frances L., 68 
Francis, 43 
Frank, 67, 97 
Frank B., 154 
Frank D., 126 
Frank, E., 145 
Frederick, 93, 140 
Frederick A., 63 
Frederick E., 144 
Frederick M., 62, 76, 89 



George, 1, 2, 7, 22, 23, 27, 53, 

54, 56 
George Bethurie, 146, 147 
George E., 62 
George Franklin, 173 
George J., 28, 36 
George Juriaan, 16, 18 
George M., 156 
George P., 79, 164 
George Wait, 145 
Gertrude, 76, 81, 90 
Grace, 100, 138, 157 
Grace Mary, 173 

H 

Hannah, 22 
Harman, 35, 70 
Harmanus, 20, 26 
Harmon, 60, 78, 97, 136 
Harriet, 48, 61, 62, 63 
Harriet Ann, 109 
Harriet Anna, no 



INDEX 



177 



Harriet B., 64, 66 

Harriet Eliza, 61 

Harriet Leanora, 171 

Hattie D., 97 

Hattie Estelle, 64 

Hazel Deborah, 173 

Helen, 43, 45, 59, 61, 79, 101, 

163 
Helen Crittenden, 147 
Helene Jane, 163 
Henrich, 21, 22, 24, 46, 54 
Henry, 7, 14, 30, 39, 57, 58, 100 
Henry Allan, 68, 106 
Henry Daniel, 63 
Henry Digby, 14 
Henry Edgar, 79, 98 
Henry J., 37, 70, 100, 137 
Henry Mesick, 73, 164 
Henry Morris, 144 
Henry N., 156 
Henry W., 73 
Herbert, 58, 172 
Herbert W., 67 
Herman, 50 
Howard, no 
Howard I., 138 



I 



Ida, 97 

Ida Annette, 66 

Imogene, 91 



Jacob, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 
35, 39. 42, 43. 45. 48, 49. 5°. 
54, 55. 56, 5 8 > 59. 62, 69, 78, 
in 

Jacob B., 73 

Jacob Esselstyn, 171 

Jacob H., 71 

Jacob Harman, 27, 49 

Jacob L., 72, 154 

Jacob W., 37, 40, 43 

James, 3, 19, 49, 50, 56, 71, 102, 

x 45 
James B., 146, 147 
James De, 2 
James R., 53 
Jane Anne, commanded by 

George Best, 3 
Jane Belinda, 75 
Jane Elizabeth, 171 
Jane Frances, 75, 84 



Jane M., 60, 67 

Janette, 98 

Jared, 71, 148 

Jared Frank, 148 

Jarius, 72 

Jean, 1 

Jenness, 163 

Jenny E., 138 

Jenny Lee, 142 

Jeremiah, 37, 39, 55, 76 

Jeremiah I., 138, 171 

Jeremiah J., 74 

Jeremias, 23, 24 

Jeremy, 54 

Jessie, 98 

Johannes J., 55, 74 

Josephine, 62 

Julia, 23, 62, 75, 82 

John, 1, 2, 15, 23, 37, 39, 40, 44, 

54, 7°. 83, 128 
John Abraham, 76 
John Allen, 163 
John Amadon, 15 
John B., 73, 78 
John Byron, 75 
John Clarence, 68 
John Eli, 71, 150 
John Emmet, 79 
John Franklin, 80 
John Harder, 142 
John I., 83 
John J., 36, 68, 140 
John Jacob, 72 
John Jeremiah, 73 
John Leigh ton Wilson, in 
John Lounard, 68, 104 
John M., 58, 62 
John Mesick, 70, 128, 136 
John P., 75, 81 
John R., no 
John Tobey, 144 
John W., 44 
John William, 79 
Johannes, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 35,- 

3 6 . 39. 4o, 46, 47. 48, 55. 74, 
T 75, 76 
Josephine, 64 
Jury, 24 
Jury J., 36 

K 

Katherine Eunice, 144 
Katherine Haven, 147 



178 



INDEX 



Laura, 52 
Laura M., 138 
Lavina T., 60, 67 
Leigh, 144 
Lena, 55, 78 
Leonard H., 64, 66 
Leroy, 102 
Levi, 45, 46, 47 
Lewis Howard, 173 
Lillian, 100 
Lillian A., 138 
Lillian Maria, 135 
Lizzie Augusta, 148 
Lizzie B., 66 
Loraine T., 163 
Louisa, 81 
Lovina, 79 
Lucius Ephraim, 148 
Lucy, 76, 94, 103 
Luella, 97 
Lulu, 98 

Lydia Mabel, 171 
Lydia Maria, 72 
Lysander T., 136, 137 

M 

Mabel P., 157 

Magdalena, 27, 47, 49 

Maggie, 108 

Malinda, 70 

Margaret, 18, 43, 46, 47, 48, 56, 

57, 59, 68, 69, 70, 73, 80, 83, 

156 
Margaret Ann, 66 
Margaret Christina, 71 
Margaret Elizabeth, in 
Margaret Jane, 76, 95 
Margaret Miller, 79 
Margaretha Livingston, 49 
Margarita, 35 
Margaritta, 55, 74 
Maria, 23, 48, 49, 53 
Marie Louise, 148 
Marjorie Dana, 147 
Martha, 73 
Martin, 23, 44, 76, 91 
Martin Luther, 104 
Mary, 56, 58, 61, 62, 68, 69, 

7°. 7 1 . 74, i°7» "6 
Mary Abbie, 150 
Mary C, 137 
Mary Catherine, 75 



Mary Christina, 80 

Mary Cornelia, 79, 98 

Mary E., 62 

Mary Elizabeth, 104, 142, 163 

Mary Emma, 83 

Mary Jane, 74, 78 

Mary L., 61 

Mary Mesick, 128 

Mary Peters, 109 

Mary Van Deusen, 171 

Marytje, 48, 55 

Matilda, 70 

Merritt E., 138 

Miller, 163, 164 

Milton, 78, 97 

Milton Peters, 80 

Minnie Ida, 151 

Minnie Luella, 102 

N 

Nellie, 102, 163 
Nellie Emma, 145 
Nelson, 75, 82 
Nichlaes, 18 
Norman, 137 
Norman C, 70 



O 



Olive Ann, 164 
Ordnar, 172 



Paul, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 140 

Peter, 24, 36, 39, 47, 48, 69, 138 

Peter Edward, 171 

Peter Franklin, 83 

Peter I., 70, 83, 135 

Peter Jacob, 80 

Peter Kipp, 74, 172 

Petrus J., 35, 36, 49, 58 

Phoebe, M., 156 

Pieter, 18 

Polly. 43 

Pruyn, 106 

R 

Ralph Westervelt, 64 

Rebecca, 22 

Reuben, 59, 63 

Richard, 15, 44, 58, 71, 149 

Richard J., 149 



INDEX 



179 



Richard James, 142 

Robert, 50, 53, 55, 73, 78, 79, 

97, 102 
Rockefeller, 79 
Royal G., 145 
Russell, 102 
Russell B., 1 02 
Russell Miner, 102 
Ruth A., 61 



Sally Ann, 75 
Sarah, 23, 37, 57, 73 
Sarah Agnes, 50 
Sarah Ann, 71, 74 
Sarah Catherine, 73 
Sarah E., 74, 137 
Sarah Elizabeth, 75, 12* 
Sarah M., 70 
Sherwood Daniel, 58 
Sophia, 43 
Stephen E., 76 
Sterling, 60 
Susan, 56 



Thomas, 7, 8, 9, 15, 61, 68, 75 
Thomas Broadhead, 54 
Thomas J., 58 
Tristum Coffin, 74 
Tunis, 58, 60 



Valeria, 108 
Viola, 135 
Virginia Ann, 83 

W 

Wallace, 53 

Walter, 60, 79 

Walter J., 172 

Walter Joseph, 149, 150 

Walter M., 137 

Wayne Chapman, 62 

Wilhelmus, 24, 144, 149 

Willard, 50, 102 

Willem, 1 

William, 16, 19, 43, 44. 56, 68, 

73. 74, 83 
William C, 156 
William Cushing, 72, 156 
William Draper, 1, 11, 12, 13 
William Draper Mortimer, 14 
William H., 44 
William J., 85 
William Lounard, 109 
William Malancthon, 171 
William W., 43 
Willis James, 148 
Wilson, 78 
Wilson I., 140 
Winifred, 146 



INDEX 



SURNAMES OTHER THAN BEST 



Ackert, Catherine, 22 
Acly, Harriet, 69, 120 
Adams, Benjamin Pettengill, 

in 
Adams, Elbert Nevius, n 1 
Adams, George Fletcher, 111 
Adams, George W., in 
Adams, Samuel Dean, in 
Almstead, Amelia M., 114 
Almstead, Irving Abner, 114 
Almstead, John A., 114 
Almstead, Leah Ellen, 115 
Almstead, Maurice, 115 
Almstead, Morris J., 114 
Almstead, Raymond P., 114 
Almstead, William, 115 
Ames, Addie, 122 
Ames, Alice, 121 
Ames, Alice M., 125 
Ames, Carry E., 124 
Ames, Carrie T., 124 
Ames, Charles H., 124 
Ames, Charles M., 124 
Ames, Cheney, 121, 122 
Ames, Clarence, 124 
Ames, Daniel E., 124 
Ames, Edith, 122 
Ames, Edna Catherine, 125 
Ames, Florence, 124, 125 
Ames, Frank, 122 
Ames, Frank W., 124 
Ames, Harriet, 121 
Ames, Harry, 122 
Ames, Hattie May, 124 
Ames, Jennie, 122 
Ames, Lillie J., 124 
Ames, Margaret Pearl, 124 
Ames, Mary C, 124 
Ames, Mary E., 124 
Ames, Matilda, 121, 124 
Ames, Melissa, 121 
Ames, Mildred Isabel, 125 
Ames, Norman C, 124 
Ames, Norman E., 124 



Ames, Orrin, 121 
Ames, Oscar, 121 
Ames, Robert, 36 
Ames, Theodore O., 124 
Angell, Emma, 72, 154 
Ashton, Albert J., 157 
Ash ton, Clarence A., 157 
Ashton, F. H., 157 
Ayres, Marjorie, 64 

B. 

Bachman, Cora, 88 
Bachman, Jenny, 88 
Bachman, Mary, 88 
Bachman, Samuel, 88 
Bachman, Sarah Jane, 88 
Bachman, Stephen, 88 
Barnes, Emma M., 119 
Barton, Carry, 93 
Bast, Dominic de, landscape 

painter, 1 
Bast, Friederick Jacob, 16 
Bast, John Jacob, 16 
Bast, Louis Amedee de, 1 
Bast, Martin-Jean de, 1 
Bast, Peter, 1 
Bathrick, Cornelius, 80 
Bates, Alice Bertha, 105 
Bates, David Ray, 158 
Bates, Luther L., 157 
Bates, Matilda, 141 
Bates, Maudie Ethlowene, 158 
Bates, Nellie Blanch, 158 
Bates, Stella May, 158 
Batz, David, 27, 49 
Bayly, George W., 108 
Becker, Crawford, 120 
Becker, Emma, 86 
Becker, Harriet, 120 
Becker, Maria, 36 
Becker, Teunis, 36 
Becker, Thomas, 120 
Becker, William J., 120 
Beest, the derivation of the 

name, 16 



181 






182 



INDEX 



Beest, Aert Pietersen Buys van, 

16 
Beest, Beeltje van, 16, 17 
Beest, Frans Jacobsen van, 16 
Beest, Geertje Cornells van, 16 
Beest, Geertruy Teunissen van, 

16 
Beest, Goosen Jansen van Noort 

van, 16 
Beest, Jan Petersen Buys van, 

16 
Beest, Marytje Theunis van, 16 
Beest, Peter Marcelis van, 16 
Benedict, Cora E., 62 
Bejamin, Martha, 119 
Bennett, Sallie, 23 
Benson, Charles Best, 132 
Benson, Edward Ellsworth, 132 
Benson, George E., 128, 132 
Benton, John V. D., 89 
Benton, Samuel Bachman, 89 
Berringer, Henrich, 20 
Bes, Pieter Cornelissen, 15 
Beste, Henry Digby, 14, the 

writings of, 15 
Bestt, Francis, 15 
Bigelow, Arthur John, 159 
Bigelow, Charles R., 169 
Bigelow, Edward W., 169 
Bigelow, Frances Harriet, 158 
Bigelow, George Heaman, 159 
Bigelow, George W., 158 
Bigelow, Grace, 159 
Bigelow, James, 158 
Bigelow, John B., 158 
Bigelow, Marion, 169 
Bigelow, Russell, 169 
Bigelow, Sarah Jane, 158 
Bigelow, Wilder, 169 
Bigelow, William, 73, 158 
Bixby, Frances C, 118 
Bixby, IsaacS., 118 
Blakeman, Eugene, 82 
Blakeman, Jessamine, 82 
Blakeman, May, 82 
Blakeman, Sydney, 82 
Blank, Clarence H., 143 
Blank, William H., 143 
Blass, Elsjen, 22 
Boehm, Sarah, 21 
Booth, Sylvina, 59 
Boright, Lydia, 144 
Bortle, Cornelia, 88 
Bradley, Anna Rebecca, 100 
Bradley, Charles Stewart, 100 



Bradley, Edgar S., 98 
Bradley, Lincoln Maurice, 100 
Breen, Frances W., 118 
Breen, William F., 118 
Brockway, Sylvia, 73 
Bulson, Emma, 117 
Burke, Etta Stuart, 162 
Buss, lone, 67 
Butler, Mary Ora, 145 

C. 

Carey, Bertha, 119 
Carey, Edna, 119 
Carey, Edward, 119 
Carle, Charles, 91 
Carter, Alvondo, 153 
Carter, Eva, 153 
Carter, Oscar, 153 
Carter, Walter H., 153 
Chace, Cornelia A., 78 
Chapman, William A., 61 
Chase, Cornelia A., 96 
Chubb, Mary A., 71, 145 
Cipperly, Clara A., 139 
Cipperly, Seward P., 139 
Clapper, John W., 79 
Clum, Ahda, 124 
Clum, Henry P., 43, 44 
Coldwell, Almeda, 93 
Coldwell, William, 93 
Cole, Jane, 69, 121 r 
Cole, Victor, 91 
Colgrove, Alice, 90 
Compton, Coalter Bates, 142 
Compton, Eno, 142 
Compton, George Britton, 142 
Cook, Maria H., 71, 150 
Cookingham, Daniel D., 23 
Coomber, Edward, 115 
Coomber, J. Edward, 115 
Coomber, Raymond Almstead; 

Coons, Blanche, 92 
Coons, Edna, 91 
Coons, Elma, 91 
Coons, Emmet, 91 
Coons, Gertrude, 92 
Coons, Grace, 91 
Coons, Lillie, 91 
Coons, Mildred L., 92 
Coons, Minnie, 91 
Coons, Myrtle, 92 
Coons, Richard M., 92 
Coons, Royal, 91 



INDEX 



183 



Coons, William H., 91 
Cooper, Ann Maria, 70, 137 
Cooper, Martin T., 27, 54 
Corbitt, Laura, 52 
Crapser, Gladys Ethel, 92 
Crapser, Hudson T., 91, 92 
Crapser, Iva May, 92 
Crimbeck, Harriet, 101 
Crine, Margaret Addie, 166 
Crissey, Alice Elizabeth, 118 
Cutler, Martha Jane, 103, 104 



D. 



Daball, Martha Grace, 97 
Daball, Sheridan, 96 
Daball, Wilson, 97 
Dakin, Aretha A., 126 
Dakin, Caroline, 126 
Dakin, Caroline Phebe, 126 
Dakin, Elizabeth Ann, 126 
Dakin, Harriet G., 126 
Dakin, Levi, 74, 126 
Dakin, Mary E., 126 
Dakin, Martha Maria, 73, 126 
Dana, Kate Louise, 147 
Daniels, David Post, 74, 17c 
Daniels, Mary Josephine, 170 
Daniels, Phebe Augusta, 170 
Daniels, Sarah Elizabeth, 170 
Darrow, Florence Eveline, 161 
Dawson, Elizabeth Anna, 62 
Decker, Allan, 84 
Decker, Elmer, 84 
Decker, Jacob, 17, 26 
Decker, Lora, 84 
Decker, Mary Jane, 80 
Decker, Walter, 81, 84 
Dederick, Anna Christina Die- 

trichin, 19 
Dederick, Catherine, 39 
De Golyer, Thatcher, 78 
De Groff, Abraham Best, 159 
De Groff, Adella Virginia, 160 
De Groff, Arthur D., 162 
De Groff, Arthur L., 160 
De Groff, Cornelia B., 162 
De Groff, Henrietta I., 159 
De Groff, Lewis, 73, 159 
De Groff, Mary E., 162 
De Groff, Robert L., 162 
De Groff, Ophelia L., 159 
De Groff, Serena A., 160 
Dekker, Hermans, 19 
De Myer, Anna, 127 



Deyo, Mattie, 156 
Doane, Lovina, 58 
Donsbag, Antjen, 18 
Donsbag, Henrich, 18 
Doren, Susanna, 15 
Dorr, Julia, 74, 167 
Drew, Chester A., 128 
Drew, Warren S., 128 
Drury, Emma T., 103 
Dunspaugh, Desiah D., 78 
Dunspaugh, Margaret, 76 
Duntz, Addison, 91, 92 
Duntz, Cora, 93 
Duntz, Ethel May, 72 
Duntz, Fred, 93 
Duntz, Lewis, 93 
Duntz, Mary E., 93 
Duntz, Melvin, 93 
Duntz, Norman, 92 

E. 

Emswell, the manor of, 4 
Eno, Augusta, 141 
Eno, Christina, 141 
Eno, Edward Bates, 141 
Eno, Edward Best, 141 
Eno, Edward I., 71, 141 
Eno, Frank, 141 
Eno, Henry, 141 
Eno, Julia Coalter, 141 
Eno, Matilda Bates, 141 
Esmond, Ellen J. B, 158 
Esmond, Richard Best, 158 
Esmond, Richard T., 73, 158 
Esselstyn, Jane, 74, 171 

F. 

Fellows, Gordon R., 165 
Fellows, Herbert B., 165 
Fellows, John, 165 
Fellows, Maria Jane, 116 
Fellows, Minnie R., 116 
Fellows, William H., 116 
Feries, George, 143 
Fingar, Margaret, 58 
Finger, Coonard, 22 
Finger, Maria, 37 
Fitzgerald, Ellen, 72, 155 
Fonda, Abraham J., 47 
Foreman, Amber, 100 
Freer, Emery, 122 
Freer, Fred, 123 
Freer, Grace, 123 



184 



INDEX 



Freer, Hasbruck, 123 

Freer, Hattie, 123 

Freer, Tilla A., 123 

Freer, Viva L., 123 

Fritts, Eliza M., 152 

Frobisher, Martin, mentioned, 2 



Gerges, Anna, 21 
Goold, Burdella, 154 
Goold, David P., 153 
Goold, Eliza Lora, 153 
Goold, John L., 154 
Goold, Loren H., 154 
Goold, Nettie M., 153 
Green, Frances A, 152 
Groat, Sarah E., 70, 136 
Groff, Mrs. Cornelia C. De, men- 
tioned, 41 



H. 



Hakes, Sarah Ann, 75, 82 
Hallenbeck, Anna Maria, 78 
Hallenbeck, Edith, 121 
Hallenbeck, Frederick, 121 
Hallis, Margaret Ann, 81 
Hallis, Charles W., 75, 81 
Hallis, Jane, 81 
Hallis, Rossman, 81 
Ham, Allen Jacob, 103 
Ham, Christina, 79 v. 
Ham, Elizabeth Best, 104 
Ham, Eveanna, 94 
Ham, Helen Catherine, 103 
Ham, Herbert Wilson, 94 
Ham, Jacob Tiel, 68 
Ham, Jane A., 113 
Ham, John Tiel, 103 
Ham, Lucy M., 94 
Ham, Margaret, 94 
Ham, Marianna, 104 
Ham, Mary Isabella, 103 
Ham, Reuben, 98 
Ham, Thomas, 103, 104 
Ham, Wilson, 76, 103 
Harder, Catherine, 71, 142 
Harrison, Emily, 76, 95 
Havens, Carry A., 82 
Havens, Elmer H., 82 
Havens, Sydney, 82 
Haywood, Alvin Eugene, 166 
Haywood, Clara Amanada, 166 
Haywood, George, 73, 166 



Haywood, Margaret, 166 
Haywood, Mary Margaret, 167 
Haywood, Mildred Alice, 166 
Haywood, Murray, 166 
Haywood, Rhea Edna, 167 
Haywood, William M., 166 
Hazelton, William Pierson, 105 
Head, Allan Best, 112 
Head, Arthur, 112 
Head, Gertrude Nevius, 112 
Head, Jacob Ward, 112 
Hermans, Mary G., 53 
Herrick, Walter, 6i, 63 

Hicks, , 58 

Hicks, Margaret, 78, 97 
Hitt, Charles L., 95 
Hitt, Gertrude A., 96 
Hobby, Andrew, 93 
Hobby, Lulu, 93 
Hobby, Wilson, 93 
Hoes, M. Adela, 170 
Hoevenburg, Abraham van, 121 
Hogle, Almina, 123 
Hogle, Augusta, 23 
Hogle, John, 123 
Hogue, Anna, 89 
Holsapple, Catherine A., 79, 101 
Hood, Isabelle, 58 
Hooft, Marytje, 24, 36 
Horton, Charles Lester, 96 
Horton, Fred. B., 96 
Horton, George W., 96 
Horton, Grisella, 78 
Horton, Harry D., 96 
Horton, Hellene Grace, 96 
Horton, Jacob, 96 
Horton, Jenny C., 96, 97 
Horton, John B., 97 
Horton, Michael, 78 
Horton, Wilson M., 96 
Houghtaling, Peter J., 108 
Hoysradt, David Best, 155 
Hoysradt, Ellen Jane, 155 
Hoysradt, Henry A., 72, 155 
Hoysradt, Mary F., 155 
Humphrey, John, 85 
Humphrey, Robert, 75 

I. 

Ives, Minnie C, 166 

J- 

Jennings, Christina, 85 



INDEX 



185 



K. 

Kaggle, Margriet, 18 
Karner, Cornelia, 139 
Karner, John C, 139 
Karner, John H., 139 
Karner, Mary, 139 
Karner, Sarah C, 139 
Kells, Charlotte Ann, 79 
Kells, Sarah L., 85 
Kilmer, Martin L., 61 
Kimball, Elizabeth, 71, 140 
Kimmey, Martha R., 115 
King, Alice B., 143 
King, Anna S., 143 
King, Charles A., 143 
King, Deborah, 143 
King, William T., 142 
Kip, Abraham T., 22 
Kipp, J, J-, 75 
Kipp, Phebe, 37, 74 
Knapp, Ella May, 1 54 
Knapp, Nellie Emma, 145 
Knapp, Theodore, 14s 
Knickerbocker, Ann, 85 

L. 

Lamb, Elizabeth, 74 
Lamb, Harriet, 74, 173 
Lamoree, Morgan, 61 
Lane, Ann Augusta, 116 
Lape, Harry, 94 
Lape, Margaret, 36, 37 
Lape, Samuel Jeremiah, 56 
Lape, Thomas J., 57, 94 
Lapham, Reuben F., 56 
Lasher, Alice B., 91 
Leggett, James I., 98 
Lesscher, Lena, 24 
Lester, Charles C, 89 
Lester, Frank H., 90 
Lester, Fred. B., 90 
Ley, Rev. Roger, mentioned, 5 
Link, Mary, 75 
Livingston, Adelmar T., 114 ' 
Livingston, Alda, 114 
Livingston, Alida M., 117 
Livingston, Charles G., 114 
Livingston, Claude, 117 
Livingston, Edith, 117 
Livingston Edith A., 117 
Lvingston, Elizabeth, 117 
Livingston, Harriet, 116 
Livingston, Harry R., 116 



Livingston, Irene, 117 
Livingston, Raymond H., 116 
Livingston, Renaldo R., 114 
Livingston, Reuben, 114 
Livingston, William, 117 
Lockwood, Frank Carlton, 83 
Lockwood, Sarah Elizabeth, 83 
Lounart, Eva, 20, 48 
Lown, David H., 139 
Lown, Elizabeth E., 140 
Lown, Eureatha D., 139 
Lown, Marcus M., 139 
Lown, Philip A., 140 
Lown, Philip J., 70, 139 
Lown, Sarah M., 139 
Louwrie, Cathrina, 36 



M 



MacMaster, Frederick A., 145 
MacMaster, Wallace B., 145 
Main, Carry V., 162 
Main, Hubert P., 162 
Main, Hubert De Groff, 162 
Main, Lewis Arthur, 162 
Main, Lucius C, 162 
Malone, George P., 97 
Mancius, Domine Geor Wilhelm, 

Manser, Eveline, 94 
Manser, Frank, 94 
Manser, Natalie, 94 
Marshall, Ann Maria, 86 
Mayell, Leslie M., no 
Mayell, Sanford, 109 
Mayell, Valeria Eloise, no 
McAllister, Lillian, 143 
McConenll, Samuel, 64 
McLees, Ella Herrick, 173 
Melius, Ann, 78, 97 
Merriam, Arthur Marshall, 152 
Merriam, Charles Leighton, 113 
Merriam, Gertrude Best, 112 
Merriam, Rev. John, 112 
Merriam, John Howard, 112 
Merriam, Joseph Lawrence, 112 
Mesick, Margaret, 24 
Mesick, Maude S., 136 
Miller, Byaly, 98 
Miller, Carroll Du Bois, 99 
Miller, Charles, 67 
Miller, Clayton J., no 
Miller, Edgar S., 99 
Miller, Edward, 75 
Miller, Emeline, 68, 108 



186 



INDEX 



Miller, Emmett Rufus, 99 
Miller, Ettie, 67 
Miller, James H., 98 
Miller, Jonas A., 99 
Miller, Katherine, 84 
Miller, Kittie Alta, 99 
Miller, Lena, 57 
Miller, Myra, 99 
Miller, Sarah, 84 
Miller, Wilbur, no 
Miller, William J., 84 
Miller, William J., 75 
Mink, Philip H., 43 
Minklaer, Elizabeth, 35, 58 
Minklaer, Eva, 27 
Mitchell, Gilbert, 164 
Mitchell, Lewis, 164 
Moore, Horatio E., 67 
Morehouse, Lyman, 59, 66 
Morris, Edwin Reynolds, 113 
Morris, Jane Ellen, 113 
Morris, Joseph D., 113 
Mosier, Harriett Louise, 105 
Mosier, Josephine, 116 
Munkuttrick, Charles, no 
Munkuttrick, Robert, 79, 101 
Murray, Frank P., 167 
Murray, Jean F., 169 
Murray, Jenny B., 168 
Murray, Joseph D., 167 
Murray, Mable, 168 
Murray, Marie A., 169 
Murray, Martha, 167 
Murray, Martha E., 168 
Murray, Mary A., 167 
Murray, Maud, 168 
Murray, Mildred Emma, 167 
Murray, Minnie M., 167 
Murray, Russell, 168 
Murray, Walter Arthur, 167 
Murray, William, 37, 74, 167 
Murrell, Clarence, 108 
Murrell, Edward, 108 
Murrell, Esther, 108 
Murrell, Minnie L., 108 

N. 

Neal, Anna Virginia, 168 

Neal, Evlyn, 168 

Neal, John, 168 

Nevius, Gertrude, 69, in 

Niver, Berenice Hallis, 81 

Niver, Florence Claudine, 81 

Niver, Caroline, 72, 156 



Niver, Norman Lewis, 81 
Nolton, Alexander J., 164 
Nolton, Wilfred, 164 

O 

Orcott, Lillian, 120 
Orcutt, Adelbert B., 172 
Orcutt, Gladys Jane, 172 
Orcutt, Harlan Taylor, 172 
Orcutt, Hazel, 172 
Orcutt, Pauline, 172 
Osterhout, Ira J., 138 
Osterhout, John, 138 



Packman, Caroline M., 127 
Packman, Charles E., 127 
Packman, J. Jay, 127 
Packman, Jacob P., 127 
Packman, Mary E., 127 
Palmer, George, 85 
Parker, Elly Z., 122 
Parker, Jennie, 122 
Paul, Malinda H., 71 
Peters, Ada, 108 
Peters, Allen B., 108 
Peters, Clarence, 107 
Peters, Harriet, 108 
Peters, Milton, 68, 107, 108 
Phillips, Augusta M., 123 
Phillips, Clarence, 123 
Phillips, Rev. David, 123 
Phillips, Fred. M., 123 
Phillips, Jennie, 123 
Phillips, Jennie Mae, 123 
Phillips, William, 123 
Piester, John, 64 
Platnaar, Mary, 43 
Platner, Hendrick, 24 
Platner, Marks, 53 
Plumb, Catherine A., 58 
Post, Sally, 75, 81 
Potter, Alice W, 143 
Potter, Frank E., 143 
Potts, Ernest, 95 
Potts, Jenny Shutts, 95 
Potts, Margaret Best, 95 
Potts, Mary, 95 
Potts, Stephen Horton, 95 
Powell, George B., 61 
Power, Jacob, 24, 43 
Pruyn, Mary Kate, 106 



INDEX 



187 



Acfa 



114 



Q. 

Queen, Lillie, 124 
R. 

Radcliff, Grace Marrian, 103 

Radcliff, Philip, 103 

Radcliff, William H., 103 

Radcliffe, Mary Emma, 115 

Raughtmaker, George W., 154 

Ray, Catherine, 20 

Reed, Amelia A., 71 

Reed, Amelia Ann, 151 

Reid, Frances Amanda, 71 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 

Reynolds 
116 

.Harrison Edward, 112 
Henry Harris, 113 
Herbert Edwin, 116 
Herbert D., 115 
Hiram, 112 
Isaac Dewitt, 113 
James Miller, 116 
John B., 72, 151 
John L., 151 
Lydia, 152 
Mabelle Stanton, 116 
Malinda, 113 
Margaret, 113 
Margaret E., 152, 153 
Mary E., 152 
Mary W., 152 
Nellie M., 115 
Phebe E., 113 
Thaddeus C. S., 152 
Thomas H., 112 
William, 69, 112 
William H., 113 
William Whitbeck, 



a B., 152 
Calvin F., 113 
Charles J., 113 
Christina Maria, 
Edwin R., 152 
Eleanor, 112 
Eliza Catherine, 
Elizabeth Jane, 
Ellen E., 152 
Emma F., 113 
Eva C, 1 13 
Eveline, 113, 153 
Forence Josephine, 



Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 
Reynolds 

116 
Reynolds, Tilleva, 153 



Robeson, Harriet M., 170 
Rockefeller, Harriet, 69 
Rockefeller, Helen A., 98 
Rockefeller, Philip, 24 
Rockefeller, Robert, 98 
Roff, Allen Archiland, 164 
Roff, Frederick, 163 
Roff, Helena Eliza, 164 
Roff, Isaac, 163 
Roff, Sarah Eloise, 163 
Rogers, Henry Walter, 170 
Rogers, Isaac B., 73, 169 
Rogers, Martha M., 109 
Rogers, Sarah Elizabeth, 169 
Rogers, William Murray, 169 
Rossman, Elithea, 82 
Rossman, Elizabeth, 68 
Rossman, Elliot, 82 
Rossman, John, 75 
Rossman, John G., 56 
Rossman, Jonas A. 98 
Rossman, Jonas F., 99 
Rossman, Lillian R., 99 
Rossman, Louisa, 75 
Rossman, Nellie Blaine, 99 
Rossman, Peter I., 75 
Rossman, Sarah, 82 
Rote, Anna M., 100 
Rote, Helen Winifred, 101 
Rote, Helena, 100 
Rote, Kathryn Evelyn, 100 
Rote, Marguerite, 100 
Rote, Rensselaer, 79 
Rote, Robert, 100 
Rote, Stanley D., 100 
Rote, Willis H., 100 
Rowe, Ella, 86 
Rowles, Carry, 94 
Rowles, Samuel G., 94 
Rurigh, Marytje, 20 
Ruyter, Elizabeth, 35 

S. 

Safford, Sarah L., 172 
Sayles, Solomon, 137 
Schermerhorn, Anna M., 90 
Schermerhorn, George, 125 
Schermerhorn, Robert, 125 
Schermerhorn, Ward, 72 
Schmidt, Margaretha, 21 
Schmidt, Petrus, 21 
Scott, Anna Webb, 166 
Seaman, Deborah W., 137 
Serrine, Jennie L., 122 



188 



INDEX 



Sharp, Carrie Best, 143 
Sharp, Elizabeth, 67 
Sharp, Isaac E., 143 
Sharp, Jane Elizabeth, 79 
Sherwood, Daniel, 60 
Sherwood, Daniel S., 62 
Sherwood, Frederick A., 63 
Shoemaker, Maria, 23 
Shultus, Catherine Maria, 117 
Shultus, Edward, 120 
Shultus, Elizabeth, 119 
Shultus, Grace Ada, 120 
Shultus, Harriet, 119 
Shultus, Hazel Inez, 120 
Shultus, Horace, 117 
Shultus, Jacob, 69, 117 
Shultus, John, 117 
Shultus, Levi, 117 
Shultus, Peter, 117 
Shultus, Robert, 117 
Shultus, William, 119 
Shultz, Helen Cornelia, 103 
Shutts, Charles, 95 
Shutts, Emmet, 95 
Shutts, Margaret Best, 95 
Shutts, Ophelia, 95 
Shutts, Samuel, 56 
Shutts, Stephen H., 76, 95 
Shutts, Wilson, 95 
Silvernail, Charles, 165 
Silvernail, Etta Best, 165 
Silvernail, Frank, 98 
Sluyter, J. Willard, 87 
Smith, Addie E., 108 
Smith, Agnes, 88 
Smith, Arthur Eugene, 87 
Smith, Bertha E., 173 
Smith, Carlostin Sanford, 58 
Smith, Catherine Maria, 79, gi 
Smith, Christina, 86 
Smith, Clara Virginia, 161 
Smith, Curtis, 86 
Smith, Edward, 86 
Smith, Elizabeth, 24 
Smith, Ellen R., 78 
Smith, Emma, 85 
Smith, Frank, 86 
Smith, Frederick M., 88 
Smith, Hendrick, 35 
Smith, Henry, 57, 86 
Smith, Jasper, 85 
Smith, John H., 76 
Smith, Margaret, 85 
Smith, Martin, 85 
Smith, Mary, 85 



Smith, Maud, 87 
Smith, John Rowe, 88 
Smith, Lawrence, 86, 87 
Smith, Lena, 87 
Smith, Leonard, 85 
Smith, Robert I., 85 
Smith, Robert Stanton, 87 
Smith, Stephen, 86 
Smith, William Martin, 88 
Snyder, Anna Maria, 22 
Snyder, Catherine, 71 
Snyder, Edna H., 116 
Spain, Abraham M., 161 
Spain, Chancey Hayes, 161 
Spain, Lewis Best, 161 
Spain, Velma Cliffe, 161 
Spain, Walter Kyle, 161 
Spain, Ward K., 161 
Spalding, Alta Maria, 119 
Spalding, Asa, 117 
Spalding, Charles A., 118 
Spalding, Charles H. Spurgeon, 

119 
Spalding, Christina C, 118 
Spalding, Irving Asa, 118 
Spalding, Kathleen Tuck, 118 
Spalding, Norman Edward, 119 
Spalding, Rowland Asa, 118 
Spalding, Sarah Augusta, 118 
Spalding, Willie Conrad, 119 
Spalding, Willis Urann, 118 
Staats, Sarah, 73, 163 
Staley, Frank, 165 
Staley, Herman Best, 165 
Starr, Estelle, 63 
Stearns, Helen May, 146 
Stickles, Edward, 56 
Stickles, Grace, 84 
Stickles, William, 84 
Sudam, Charles, 81 
Sudam, Elizabeth, 75 

T. 

Tact, Annatje, 20, 35 
Tanner, Harriet, 58 
Teats, Catherine, 80 
Tenney, Marion L., 172 
Terpening, Andrew, 122 
Terpening, Edna Bell, 122 
Terpening, Grace, 122 
Terpening, Grover C, 122 
Terpening, Harry H., 122 
Terpening, Idella May, 122 
Terry, Mrs. Sarah, 172 



b 



RD-94 



INDEX 



3189 



Tiffany 

Tiffany 

Tiffany 

Tiffany 

Tiffany 

Tiffany 

Tiffany 

Totell, 

Traver, 

Traver, 

Tryon, 



, Charles David, 9 
, Claude, 99 
, Gordon, 99 
, Harold, 99 
, Lila Erroll, 99 
, Mary Irene, 99 
, Rossman, 99 
Dennis, 157 

Louisa, 76, 91 

May 139 
Henrietta C, 102 

V 



Van Alstyn, Eva M., 157 
Van Alstyn, Irving, 157 
Van Alstyn, Maud, 157 
Van Alstyn, Nelson L., 157 
Van Alstyn, Nettie, 157 
Van Alstyn, Samuel K., 157 
Vandenburgh, Jennie, 164 
Van Deusen, Anna Margaret, 105 
Van Deusen, Catherine, 105 
Van Deusen, Edwin Holmes, 104 
Van Deusen, Harriett Huyck, 

106 
Van Deusen, Margaret Ann, 104 
Van Deusen, Mary Ellen, 104 
Van Deusen, Robert Nicholas, 

68, 104 
Van Deusen, Robert Thompson, 

Van Deusen, Robert Wendover, 

106 
Van Etten, Henry S., 56 
Van Hoevenburg, Abraham, 69 
Van Slyke, Arthur, 90 
Van Slyke, Baltus B., 76 
Van Slyke, Baltus P., 90 
Van Slyke, Charles B., 90 
Van Slyke, Charles C, 90 
Van Slyke, Edgar J., 90 
Van Slyke, Frederick E., 90 
Van Slvke, Ralph S., 90 
Varley, Alida, 125 
Varley, Bernard, 125 
Varley, Isabella, 125 
Varley, Matilda, 125 
Varley, Merwin, 125 
Varley, Stephen, 125 
Vernon, Murray, 169 
Vernon, Samuel E., 169 
Vernon, Vivian, 169 



Vischer, Alida, 73 
Vischer, Harold, 165 
Vischer, James Nessle, 165 
Vosburgh, Caroline, 58 
Vosburgh, Marytje, 48 
Vradenburgh, David, 23 

W. 

Wager, Katherine, 159 
Waite, Harold, 135 
Waite, Horace, 135 
Waite, Isaac V. A., 135 
Waite, Lillian, 135 
Waite, Margaret, 135 
Waite, William, 135 
Walker, Ernest Vaughn, 101 
Walker, James H., 101 
Walker, Margaret Anna belle, 

101 
Waltermire, Alonzo C, 89 
Waltermire, Anna, 58 
Waterbury, Eliza Jane, 115 
Waterbury, Frances A., 115 
Waterman, Annette, 138' 
Watts, Nettie J., 119 
Weaver, Edward A., 79, 98 
Weaver, Henrietta, 98 
Weed, Julia, 73, 167 
Wendover, Cynthia Ann, 104 
Wheeler, Martha, 73 
Wheeler, Colonel S., 115 
Wheeler, Silas R., 115 
Whitbeck, Margaret, 116 
Whitcomb, Mary, 64 
Whiting, Elizabeth, 120 
Whitman, Adelbert H., 170 
Whitman; Albert H., 170 
Whitman, John L., 170 
Whitman, John M., 74, 170 
Whitman, Lettie M., 170 
Whitman, Ralph E., 170 
Williams, Maria, 68 
Wright, Eliza, 71 
Wright, Ella F., 153 
Wright, George, 152 
Wright, May M., 153 
Wright, Ray R., 153 



Young, Elias, 24, 47 



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